roswell

Introcluction
In November, 1946 the Research Division of the College of Eng.1neer1ng
of New York University contracted with Watson Laboratories, All::, to develop
and fly constant-level instrument-carrying balloons. This is the third part
of the final report on the work accomplished and describes the experimental
balloon flights which were made.
In reviewing the flights a number of analytical comments may be made.
In most flights one objective was the maintenance of the balloon at a constant
pressure level for as long as possible. On many fligh'b$ balloon behavior
was affected by instrumental controls of one kind or another while on some
flights no controls at all were used.
Balloons of varying sizes and of different principles of construction
have been laun~hed singly, in tandem and in clusters. On some, temperatures
were measured and on others. the flight pe.th was an object of special study.
To explain certain observed flight data a careful analysis of atmospheric
stability has been made, while other flights have special signif'icance be-
cause they demonstrate the effect of superheat on the lifting gas or some
other feature of analytical importance.
Since over 100 flights have been made, it is difficult to tabulate the
important results obtained on each specific flight. To present the data
Which has ~een collected each si~ificant flight is presented chronologically,
with drawings and details where necessary, and a summary of the .flight
result.s is· given.
To render this information useful, an index has been prepared with re-
ference made to flights which show typical or important results in each
category.