III C 1. General Work Accomplished.
The period was spent in preparatory work which consisted of the following phases:
Phase 1. The designing of a balloon and of altitude controls to be used as tentative solutions to the main problem.
2. The contacting of plastic film fabricators to obtain several sources of supply for large non-extensible balloons. To date, one subcontract has been let for 15 ft. diameter balloons.
3. The contacting of an instrument company which would construct the altitude control devices. A subcontract has also been let for altitude controls.
4. The designing of a large balloon inflation shelter at N. Y. U. Materials have been procured for it. Due to change in plans the shelter will not be built at N. Y. U. therefore the materials are being held for the government until termination of contract.
5. The repairing and testing of the radiosonde receptor in Department of Meteorology for preliminary flights pending the arrival of Government-loaned equipment.
6. The preliminary flights with clusters of Meteorological balloons as stop-gap methods to attempt constant level balloon flights while awaiting the delivery of N. Y. U. designed equipment.
7. The making of preliminary calculations and requirements on constant level balloon performance.
2. Specific Problems.
Yet to be determined is the relative merits of various balloon films and fabrics available. This is to be handled by test work done by