Flight 23: Released from Alamogordo, New Mexico, 0918 MST, September 12, 1947
Not recovered
A J-2000 neoprene balloon was encased with a nylon shroud and provided with a valve to permit gas to escape after a small superpressure ( $\frac{1}{4}$ " of water) was exceeded. The balloon in its shroud is shown in Figure 12.
[figure]
Figure 12: Neoprene balloon encased in a nylon shroud
If a "superpressure" balloon is used, much less ballast is required since, during minor oscillations, the reduction of buoyancy will not cause the balloon to descend as long as the remaining buoyancy is equal to or greater than the load supported.
This balloon, and three similar ones (Flights 38, 66, 87), failed to achieve any constancy of altitude. All four failed during the rising period or soon after the shroud became full. (The balloons were heated prior to release to restore elasticity.)
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