US-based World View and Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) have launched the Stratollite high-altitude balloon from Benson Municipal Airport in Arizona, US, into the stratosphere to carry a solar research payload.
Known as Solar Instrument Pointing Platform (SSIPP), the new, tiny solar-pointing platform was launched as part of a Nasa-funded flight opportunities programme to help conduct low-cost research with optical precision.
Weighing 160lb and around the same size as a mini fridge, SSIPP remained aloft for more than five hours at an altitude of 103,000ft above the ground.
World View senior aerospace engineer Rolfe Bode said: "The descent and custom systems worked just as designed and returned the SSIPP payload to SwRI in pristine condition with no noticeable damage.
"Following the flight, SSIPP was checked out and all instrument functions including the optics were in working order."
In future, SSIPP will collect solar data using infrared, ultraviolet or visible light near the edge of space, nearly 20 miles above the Earth's surface.
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By GlobalDataSwRI principal scientist Dr. Craig DeForest said: “SSIPP could support the development of a range of new instruments for the near-space environment at relatively low cost.
“Using a standard optical table platform increases flexibility, allowing scientists to try new things and develop new technologies without designing a custom observatory.”
SSIPP will be first used to search for signs of a solar sound wave in the solar atmosphere, which is between ten and 15 octaves below the bottom note on a piano.
Image: High-altitude balloon launched to carry solar research payload. Photo: courtesy of World View.
