Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS)
Daiko
Daiko
The sanriku Balloon Center (SBC) which belongs to the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science was built in 1971. The launching field of SBC was 140 m in length and 20 m in width. In Japan, the balloon launching method used since 1971 is a kind of static launching method. To launch larger balloons, we have developed a "semi-dynamic" launching method and extended the launching field by 20 m and developed a new launcher in 1998. This new launcher is different from the one used in the dynamic launching method. It is fixed to the ground creating freedom of rotation around the vertical axis. In addition, it is also possible for the launcher to lift a payload up to 5 m height from the ground. We have successfully launched the first test balloon by using this new launching method on September 6, 1999. Utilizing this new launching machine, it has now become possible even in Japan to launch a balloon with a volume of 1,000,000 m^3 and a total lift of 2 tons.