Some useful vocabulary (list sorted alphabetically)

  • Burst altitude [m]
  • Gas volume: in cubic meters [m3] shows how much gas we need (preferably helium). Most balloons need less than 4 cubic meters.
  • High-altitude balloonunmanned balloons, usually filled with helium or hydrogen, that are released into the stratosphere (18 to 37 km).
  • Neck lift: tells you how much lift the balloon has when filled with the proper gas volume.
  • Parachute: The parachute keeps the payload safe after the balloon burst. with specific loops allowing attachment to the balloon. When sizing a parachute one should also consider the weight of the balloon remnants after burst because balloons don’t always shred completely.
  • Payload: the payload houses the balloon tracker antenna, cameras, and any other scientific instruments send to the stratosphere.
  • Payload mass: measured in grams also includes the parachute and the lines made of braided nylon cord.
  • Stratosphere:  is the second major layer of Earth’s atmosphere, just above the troposphere, and below the mesosphere situated between 10 and 50 km altitude above the surface.
  • Target ascent rate: in m/s should not be lower than 5 m/s as the risk on the balloon not bursting increases.
  • Target Burst Altitude [m]
  • Target descent rate [m/s]
  • Time to Burst [min]
  • Weather ballon: is the most common type of high-altitude balloon which carries instruments aloft to send back information on different type of data such as temperature, pressure and humidity. When filled with helium, the balloon provides lift for carrying the payload to the Earth stratosphere.



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