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j CUBSERAL KILLS, INC. Mechanical Division

Engineering Research & Development Pugsst—at 2003 B. Hennepin Minneapolis 13, Minn.

FUU. REPORT

PROJECT 83006

REPORT 10. 1226 PREPARED Bl" , Keith C. Giles

'e.kJL. DATE: * BaMMB 1953 APPROVED BT j *•>' WtTH r. r. sag

Balloon and Meteorological > * Systems Group «»

I. I8TR0DUCTICB

On 21 August 1952, Contract Boor 875(00) between General WITT, Inc.

and the Office of Havel Research vas amended to provide for the execution

of an experiment designed to carry a scientific payload to high altitudes.

A payload was supplied by the Saval Ha—arch laboratory, nucleonics Division.

General Mills, Inc. was to supply a "Bkybcok" balloon to carry the load aloft,

together vita balloon controls, recording and safety equipment. The flight

to be launched by General Mills technical personnel.

XI. PROJECT PROGRAM

A traditional "Skyhook" balloon flight program vas outlined for this

project. The balloon vas flown from Fyote Air Force Base, Fyote, Texas, on

29 August 1952. The following items constituted the flight train:

1. A polyethylene balloon, 65 feet In diameter, 1 mil thick.

2. A 26-foot parachute on which the instruments and payload were to

be returned to earth.

3. A timer set to cut the load free from the balloon at a predetermined

time when the scientific experiment Is concluded.

fc. Safety devices required by C.A.A., including a pressure switch set

to prevent floating below 80,000 ft.

5. A barograph to give a record of the altitude reached.

6.. A radio transmitter whose signal is modulated by a pressure sensor.

T. A payload provided by the laval Research Laboratory, Nucleonics Division.

2 -

8. An additional araall lwyioad provided by the Katlcxml Institutes of

Health, Bethesda, Maryland.

Heliun provided by the Bevy vae used for Inflation.

The balloon and aoeeaaory equipment was flown successfully and the desired

eerrtces were provided. Tracking vaa attempted using an Air FOroe AT-6 from

Pyote Air force Base. Poor mechanical oocAltlon prevented a ouceeaaful tracking

effort. The balloon landed In Mexico, and the equipamt and payload were found

and returned In good condition.

The flight data are presented In the next section of this report.

It la hoped that the scientific payload per famed satisfactorily and that

the entire operation not with success. General Mills, Inc. Is happy to bars

had the opportunity of working with the Office of naval Research and the Beval

Bassarch Laboratory in carrying out this experiment.

Lngineerin£ Research and Develcpnent iX»purtment Minneapolis, Mine

PLIGHT SUMMARY

Date: r.9 augurt 1952

Launch tig ;iine: 0657 CST

Serial H0o: 501 Weight: V*8#

Plight Ho,: 379

Launch oitc: Pyote A?B

Balloon type: 85IA

Who: NHL - Shapiro

What: Plates, Beacon, Barograph & Timers

Scheduled duration: 10 l/2 hrs.

Actual Itaratlon: 10 l/z hrse

Oross Load: 265*

Moxiaua altitude: 101,000 ft-

Theoretical Altitude: 101,800 ft.

Recovery: where? 50 Ml. SW Douglae, Arisona.

Balloon Success: Excellent

Scientific Purpose: To carry plates for SBL Xucleonico i/ivieion.

Scientific Success as knovn: Late recovery caused much background on plates though data very usable per Bat Seej&un (SHL)

Critique: Launched in lee of hangar„ Wind shear over hangar held balloon down after leaving platform and dragged balloon 75 ft. on ground. High rate of rise.

Load on Balloon: 117?

Free lift: >l*o5T 13% gross load

Kate of rise: 1029 ft/mln to 97*000 ft.

Altitude Maintenance: Excellent

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