Purpose of the flight and payload description
This was a technical flight aimed to test the Federal Aviation Administration coverage of a balloon-borne transponder beacon developed by the NCAR Scientific Balloon Facility system under an extended operating period. The original plan was to launch the balloon at evening and to maintain a float altitude of approximately 90,000 feet for 16 hours.
Details of the balloon flight
Balloon launched on: 2/23/1963 at 16:03 mst
Launch site: Page Airport, Arizona, US
Balloon launched by: National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon Raven - 600.000 cuft (0.75 mil)
Flight identification number: PG1-63
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 2/23/1963
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 4 h
Landing site: 10 miles N of Pinon, Arizona, US
Payload weight: 535 lbs
Overall weight: 717 lbs
The balloon was launched from Page, Arizona at 16:03 local time on February 23, 1963. After a nominal launch ans ascent it reached the intended float altitude of 89,000 ft. However, upon reaching altitude the balloon almost immediately began descending. The ballon failed to respond to ballasting and continued down to 44,000 ft. where the balloon was separated from the payload by the safety unit. The tracking aircraft followed the payload to the ground. Position was marked and recovery was accomplished without incident the next morning. Cause of failure remained unknown.
External references
- The Flight Record Scientific Ballooning Nº 9, May 1963
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