August Debuts Balloon Campaign in Timmins

Through a collaboration between the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), a new $4-million dollar launch facility was built in Timmins, Ontario, Canada.

In August 2013, this world-class base will debut with its first balloon campaign.

The City of Timmins was selected in March 2012 as the Canadian launch site because of its favourable latitude, wind and weather conditions, its low population density in key areas surrounding the city and optimal on-site infrastructure. It was the top pick in Canada for meeting the strict regulations governing high-altitude balloon launches and recovery.

There are launch bases around the world.  There are sites in the Americas, in the polar regions of Antarctica and the Arctic, Europe, Asia and Oceania. In the past, some balloons were even released from boats!

For more information, visit the STRATOCAT site which lists balloon launch bases and  reports on flight news from around the world.

Balloons launched in Timmins

These BSOs are proven. They have been used by the CNES for 50 years! The size of these balloons can vary from a few thousand to nearly one million cubic metres. The largest balloons can handle payloads from a few dozen kilograms up to 1.1 tonnes, at any desired altitude in the stratosphere (up to approximately 42 km).

In addition to being non-pressurized, the main feature that distinguishes the BSO from other stratospheric balloons is that they have two inflation sleeves located in the upper part of the envelope of the balloon. These openings allow the balloon to be filled with gas that is lighter than air, either helium or hydrogen. The envelope is also opened by exhaust hoses placed at the bottom of the balloon. These openings are used to strike a balance between the atmospheric pressure and the gas, thereby avoiding the creation of an overpressure situation.

A Video from the Canadian Space Agency:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTmMbCk9-yU&feature=player_detailpage