Sunday, December 23, 2007

LDB = Long Duration Balloon

I've helped with three balloon launches in two seasons, but they've been small balloons that burst after 2 hours or so. Right now is the critical launch season for LDB, an acronym for Long-Duration Balloon. This project has already launched 2 of the 3 HUGE balloons they are sending up into the atmostphere. There are many different groups working on this project, and today's launch is supported by BESS. This link shows the path the balloon is taking. For more information, click here.

**UPDATE** As of today, 12/27/07 all 3 balloons have been launched. Last night I attended a science lecture on the BESS balloon and it's purpose to study antimatter. A lot of the astrophysics went right over this girl's head, but I did learn that the balloon and payload all together total about 1000 feet long when it launches, and as the balloon ascends higher into the atmosphere it widens and gets shorter so it's approximately 400 and some feet wide by 350 or so feet tall. It is HUGE!

Posted by Katie from the Ice @ 9:23 AM