| Popis: |
Stratospheric balloons are useful platforms for various research and technology needs. In particular, they can be used for proof of concept demonstrations in preparation of new space and Earth observation missions. A typical balloon flight duration varies from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the balloon type, the choice of season, launch site and flight trajectory. Payloads can be flown at altitudes of 15-40 km. Compared to satellites, stratospheric balloons can be operated at relatively low cost and with shorter lead times from the experiment idea to the flight. Recently, a new balloon infrastructure project called HEMERA has been selected by the European Commission within its programme Horizon 2020. One of the objectives of HEMERA is to enlarge the user community within research and technology related to stratospheric balloons and to coordinate activities within the field. The project is coordinated by the French space agency CNES and involves 13 partners from various European entities as well as the Canadian Space Agency, CSA. The project was kicked-off in late January 2018 and will be executed during 2018-2021. Six balloon flights with a target payload mass of 150 kg are foreseen within HEMERA offering free of charge balloon flights to users and scientists from various science fields and/or for technology tests. In addition, several sounding balloon flights are foreseen for smaller payloads of up to 3 kg. The launch sites will be Esrange in Sweden, Timmins in Canada, and Aire sur l 'Adour in France. Two Calls for Proposals are planned in the HEMERA project. The selected experiments will fly on balloons during 2019-2021 |
