In several cases squibs used for altitude control failed to fire at extremely high altitudes. It is believed that placing a small load on batteries may help keep cells warm enough to produce the necessary voltage at high altitude on future flights.
3. Limitations
The greatest factor hindering the progress of work is still the lack of available space at New York University.
d. METHODS OF ATTACK
Field tests at Alamogordo indicated that a Helios-type cluster is much superior to a long cosmic-ray type flying line in case of fabrication, handling and launching when it is necessary to use clusters. Therefore, this type of cluster where the balloons are all at the same level, will be used on all future multiple balloon flights.
Large plastic balloons have been obtained and will be flown at Alamogordo during the tests to be conducted in July.
e. APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT
The main sand ballast-dropping device was improved as a result of experiments at Alamogordo by constructing the ballast tubes of aluminum rather than plastic, and by using stronger paper diaphragms as the frangible support for the ballast.
f. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Opinion has been strengthened that clusters of meteorological balloons will never be a satisfactory method of achieving constant altitude for long period flights. Various factors which weigh against the success of such flights are: the inherent vertical instability of extensible balloons; the rapid deterioration of neoprene under the rays of the sun (average 6 hour life); the complex set of ballast and lifting equipment required; the variable and indeterminate effects of superheat; and the difficulty of launching a long train assembly, even under the best conditions.
In general, equipment must be strengthened and higher safety factors must be used to withstand the strains of launching and the oscillations of the balloon train in flight.
One or more observation posts, downwind, are needed for Alamogordo releases; each post should have theodolite and radiosonde observers and equipment. Better communications between, and coordination of observation posts is vital for satisfactory