Ultralight to heavy long duration balloon development from svalbard, Norway

ABSTRACT: Science teams world wide have made use of stratospheric research balloons to conduct experimentation through various disciplines and for as many reasons. High altitude balloons have been the vehicle to carry on investigations of space, our atmosphere, and our planet. Balloons have proven to be a cost efficient and rapidly deployable means to gain access to the heavens. In a joint effort, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Andoya Rocket Range (ARR) have initiated the development of a European balloon center in Svalbard, Norway. This new facility, Nobile / Amundsen Stratospheric Balloon Center - Svalbard, has arguably the ideal location for performing Long Duration Balloon (LDB) campaigns.