Feb 25 2001
From The Space Library
NASA’s Ultra-Long Duration Balloon (ULDB), a huge research balloon designed to ascend to altitudes of more than 20 miles (32 kilometers), took off from Alice Springs, Australia. The size of a domed football stadium, the vessel was constructed of ultra-thin plastic material, enabling it to float above 99 percent of Earth’s atmosphere. Scientists controlled the research craft from the ground, hoping that if it succeeded, this new type of balloon would provide a cost-effective method of gathering data. However, after a launch delay of several weeks, because of turbulent weather, the research balloon lasted aloft only a few hours before a leak forced it back to the ground. Once the balloon had reached 85,000 feet (26,000 meters), the flight controllers initiated a controlled descent, minimizing further damage to the craft and to the research instruments aboard. Engineers were optimistic that they could fix the balloon and that, once they had repaired and deployed it, the balloon would fly higher and longer than any previous research balloon. However, when the balloon landed approximately 132 miles (212 kilometers) away from its takeoff site, the launch-station director and crew remained uncertain of the nature and extent of the problem. (NASA, “NASA Aborts Space Research Balloon Flight,” news release 01-28, 26 February 2001; Associated Press, “Leak Forces NASA Balloon To Land,” 25 February 2001; Associated Press, “Giant Balloon Launched After Long Delay,” 24 February 2001.)
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