First High Altitude Scientific Balloon Flight
17/01/2014

The first scientific high altitude balloon flight was performed on January 14, 2014. The scientific load contained a VLF receiver for detection of radio amateurs and Photo- Video equipment documenting the flight. The balloon was tracked down by using a 2 meter radio band APRS radio system transmitting to ground the GPS coordinates, altitude, velocity vector and temperature inside / outside and voltage of on-board power systems.

Take-off occurred at 8:10 AM (GMT), reaching a maximum altitude of 30995 meters at 09:25:44 (GMT). After reaching the maximum altitude the platform returned to the soil being braked by a parachute. The landing took place in the North West of the Ialomitei Island at exactly 09:52:42. During the flight the entire assembly has reached speeds in excess of 210 km/h and a temperature of -55 degrees Celsius. Because of the high wind speed (specific to winter weather) was elected a climb rate higher to limit horizontal dispersion of the trajectory and avoid loss of charge in the Black Sea.

The equipment behaved well, data being collected both in VLF radio and photo/video instruments to be published immediately after processing. The team recovered both the platform and equipment in perfect operating condition at approximately 2 hours after landing. The entire flight was conducted with the support of ROMATSA for integration into the Romanian air traffic.