Details of the balloon and launch operations
Launch site:Scientific Flight Balloon Facility, New Mexico, US
Launch team: National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF)
Balloon: Open balloon (zero pressure) Winzen - 11.820.000 cuft (0.8 mil) - SF3-11.82-.8/.8-NA
Serial number: W11.82-1E-30
Flight identification number: 531N
Campaign: -
Payload weight: 2175 lbs
Gondola weight: -
Overall weight: 2529 lbs
The balloon was launched using the dynamic method assited by launch vehicle at 14:23 utc on September 11th.
After an initial ascent phase the float altitude of 119.700 feet was achieved and the balloon followed a course due to south. A few minutes after, at 16:23 utc the payload was jettisoned in free fall as planned. It touched ground at 16:40 utc 15 nm south of Fort Sumner, NM at coordinates 34º 14.6 North / 104º 10.4 West. After the impact the payload remained upright and suffered no harm.
Description of the payload or experiment
MARS SCIENCE LABORATORY - Subsonic Parachute Test
Responsable institution: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Principal Investigator: Dr. Robert Mitcheltree
The flight was to test the Mars science lander drogue parachute extraction system and determine drag and performance characteristics of the new parachute design.
Performance in flight and data obtained
This was the second flight in a series of three. The main parachute experienced deployment problems resulting in a degraded descent profile.
Nevertheless, after the payload was returned to Fort Sumner, a physical examination indicates an upright landing, with the crush pad absorbing nearly all of the shock. The only significant visible damage was to the sacrificial plywood drag plate.
All onboard electronic systems apparently remain operational. Consequently, the payload condition was considered excellent.