The Department of Extraterrestrial Physics has launched numerous missions into the stratosphere using weather balloons. Many flights were performed as preparation for BEXUS missions, but local schools were supported as well.
News about flights
This is a list of ballon missions supported by the Department of Extraterrestrial Physics at Kiel University:
- 2024-06-24 Hebbel Hoch Hinaus
- 2023-09, IEAP-ET Kiel, CHAOSjunior, flight 1 (during Highlights der Physik)
- 2023-09, Holstenschule Neumünster, flight 2
- 2023-09-06, Ricarda-Huch-Schule Kiel (Matti), flight 3
- 2022-10-04, Holstenschule Neumünster, flight 1
- 2021-12-04, Gymnasium Nieder-Olm
- 2019-07-09, Fachhochschule Kiel
- 2019-06-06, Ricarda Huch Schule Kiel (Matti), flight 1
- 2019-05-05, IEAP-ET Kiel, TANOS Junior, flight 2
- 2018-09-24, IEAP-ET Kiel, TANOS Junior, flight 1
- 2017-07-13, Auguste Viktoria Schule in Itzehoe (Katja)
Other related missions:
Possible payloads:
Useful tools:
- Balloon path and landing predictor
(with Cambridge University Spaceflight Tāwhirimātea engine and NCEP GFS 0.50 degree grid forecast model) - Helium Calculator
1 liter of helium lifts approximately 1 gram.
Experience shows that it bursts higher and later than calculated.
Ascent speeds of more than 5 m/s could cause the gondola to oscillate in a troublesome manner.
Example values: 1600g balloon, 800-1600g payload, 80-100bar×50L helium, <5m/s ascent rate, 36-41km altitude, ~4m/s falling. - alternative Balloon burst calculator
(better with higher Burst Diameter = 11-13m and higher Balloon Cd = 0.3 for the 1600 g Weather Balloon with max 4.4m³@1bar Helium)
Comparison with measurements:
- 2023-09-06, Ricarda-Huch-Schule Kiel (Matti), flight 3:
- Balloon weight: 1600g
- Payload weight: ~1000g
- Ascent speed: ~5m/s
- Burst Altitude: 40.7km
- Falling speed: ~10m/s
- Filled helium: 93bar/1bar × 50l = 4.65m³.
- 2022-10-04, Holstenschule Neumünster, flight 1:
- Balloon weight: 1600g
- Gondola weight (without 70g parachute and cord): 875g
- Payload (gondola+parachute+cord): ~950g ?
- Ascent speed: 5.3m/s
- Burst Altitude: 4.6mbar ≙ 36630m
- Burst Time: after 110min
- Falling speed: 10.2m/s (first 60m/s, at the end 3.8m/s)
- Filled helium: 90bar/1bar × 50l = 4.5m³
- Diameter at launch: 2×3√(4.5m³×3/4/π) = 2m
- Volume of helium at 4.6mbar: (1000/4.6 × 4.5m³ = 1000m³
- Diameter without considering the pressure of the balloon envelope: 12.5m
- 2019-07-09, Fachhochschule Kiel
- Balloon weight: 1600g
- Payload weight: ~1000g
- Ascent speed:
- Burst Altitude: 38850m
- Burst Time:
- Flight Time: 235 min
- Filled helium: between 75bar/1bar × 50l and 84bar/1bar × 50l (82bar/1bar × 50l)
- 2019-05-05, IEAP-ET Kiel, TANOS Junior flight 2
- Payload: ~1kg ?
- Burst Altitude: 40365m
- Flight Time: 3:45h=224min
- 2018-09-24, IEAP-ET Kiel, TANOS Junior flight 1
- Payload: ~1kg ?
- Burst Altitude: 39960m
- Flight Time: 3:10h=190min
- Start: 08:50
- Burst: 39km: 11:00
- Landing: 12:00
- Ascent: 39km/130min = 5.0m/s
- Descent: 39km/60min = 10.8m/s
- needed simulation input for correct flight time: Descent: 4m/s