TABLE VII
SUMMARY OF NYU CONSTANT-LEVEL BALLOON FLIGHTS
FLIGHT NUMBER
DATE AND TIME LAUNCH
LOCATION OF LAUNCH
BALLOON MATERIAL
INSTRUMENTATION
WEIGHT OF BALLOON INCLUDING BALLAST
BALLOON HEIGHT
PERM. LIFT
BALLOON LIFT
RADIOSOUND RECEPTION
TRACKING
AIRCRAFT OBSERVATION
FLIGHT DURATION
OPTIMUM CONSTANT LEVELS
MAXIMUM & CONSTANT LEVELS
RECOVERY & LAUNCH SITE
CRITIQUE
11
7 July 1947 0508 MST
Alamogordo New Mexico
7 - General Mills 1 - 15' .008" Polyethylene 6 - 7' .001" Polyethylene in 15' balloon
74.5 mc Radiosonde Ballast assembly
15.9 kg
3 kg
11.3 kg
27.2 kg
97% with recorder
Theodo-lite 384
100% C-54
550 min.
423 min. ± 1300'
Max. 16000' Const. 16000'
0%
Balloons used in cluster to obtain higher altitude. In high wind at launching 3 small balloons deflated. Therefore cluster did not rise high enough to actuate altitude control. Dribbler leak and balloon diffusion both 300 gm/hr. Therefore balloons were used at ceiling until ballast was expended.
12
5 Aug. 1947 0714 MST
Lakehurst New Jersey
1 - General Mills - 20' .001 Polyethylene
3 mc transmitters Radiosonde 39.7 mc Radiosonde 72.2 mc Radiosonde Ballast assembly
28.0 kg
5 kg
3.8 kg
31.8 kg
100% Hillman
Theodo-lite 15% SCR-658 80%
85%
407 min. - 400'
60 min. - 400'
Max. 14100'
95%
First flight with large this balloon. Open appendix caused helium dilution with air. Valve appeared thought to have caused balloon to surge in temperature, light early and low. Flight not successful as balloon test or altitude control test.
13
5 Sept. 1947 0647 MST
Alamogordo New Mexico
2 General Mills 20' .001" Polyethylene. 10' appendix inside shroud lines
397 mc Radiosonde Data Gear Ballast release
24.2 kg
10.0 kg
3.8 kg
28.0 kg
100%
Theodo-lite 100% SCR-658 100%
Not required Burst over desert
58 min.
None (burst)
Max. 4760'
0%
Appendix twisted around shroud lines, preventing wailing of gas at pressure altitude. Both balloons burst within 2 minutes and gear fell free to desert. Recovery not attempted.
14
6 Sept. 1947 0613 MST
Alamogordo New Mexico
1 General Mills 20' .001" Polyethylene. 10' appendix outside shroud lines
397 mc Radiosonde Banner, Ballast release
15.1 kg
5.0 kg
2.2 kg
17.3 kg
100%
Theodo-lite 100% SCR-658 100%
Last 10% (L-5)
55 min.
None (burst)
Max. 49000'
100%
Appendix again twisted around shroud lines, preventing wailing of gas at pressure altitude, where balloon burst. Descent retarded by banner.
15
6 Sept. 1947 1153 MST
Alamogordo New Mexico
1 General Mills 20' .001" Polyethylene. 1' appendix outside shroud lines.
397 mc Radiosonde Banner, Ballast release
15.1 kg
5.0 kg
2.6 kg
17.7 kg
364 min.
Theodo-lite 100% SCR-658 175 min. 364 min.
Not required then Accurate data not required
More than 364 min.
71 min. - 400'
Max. 45800' Const. 34000'
0%
First flight with large G. M. balloon which did not burst to appendix. Ballows holes in balloon due to pressure. Bursting caused slow descent after pressure height was reached. Shows need of short appendix and automatic ballast valve.
16
8 Sept. 1947 0828 MST
Alamogordo New Mexico
1 General Mills 20' .001" Polyethylene. 2' appendix outside shroud lines
397 mc Radiosonde Data gear Banner Ballast release
16.1 kg
3.2 kg
2.4 kg
18.5 kg
100%
Theodo-lite 100% SCR-658 100%
Not required A/C used to search for gear
30 min.
None (burst)
Max. 31700'
0%
Heavily loaded balloon with too much free lift (inflated by pressure in wind). High oscillations observed after launch. Balloon burst due to blowing off top wall below pressure altitude. Balloon came down with free falling gear but was not found.
17
9 Sept. 1947 1647 MST
Alamogordo New Mexico
1 H. A. Smith 13' .004" Polyethylene with 18 load points
397 mc Radiosonde Ballast release
11.3 kg
4.0 kg
2.1 kg
13.4 kg
281 min.
281 min.
Not required night flight
181 min. - 500' 10 hrs.
181 min. - 500'
Max. 29700' Const. 29100'
0%
Successful controlled altitude flight demonstrating altitude control. Initiating height through sun. Balloon descended near Croft, Kansas long after passing out of Roswell's reception range. Need for a barograph shown.