NASA's Antarctic Balloon Launch to Map Galaxy Using Helium Balloons

NASA is set to launch three giant helium-filled balloons from Antarctica as part of the Antarctic Long Duration Balloon Campaign. One of the balloons, carrying NASA's GUSTO telescope, will spend 55 days mapping interstellar gas in the Milky Way and the Large Magellanic Cloud from the Earth's upper stratosphere. The balloons, including one testing the use of solar panels for longer missions, will study cosmic rays, measure low-frequency sounds in the stratosphere, and contribute to various scientific missions. The launch highlights the advantages of helium balloons for extended observations in the stratosphere. The enormous balloon is said to hold nearly 40mmcf of gas when it’s fully inflated, although this seems like it may be an overestimate as it is a huge amount.

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