NASA Launches Advanced Scientific Balloon Missions from Arctic Circle

The missions, set to begin in mid-May, will utilize Sweden's Esrange Space Center for long-duration flights gathering crucial scientific data.

• NASA's 2024 Sweden Long-Duration Scientific Balloon Campaign features four primary missions, including experiments on cosmic rays and high-energy X-rays.
• The campaign benefits from the polar region's constant daylight, allowing balloons to maintain altitude without gas loss.
• Missions include the HELIX experiment to study cosmic rays, BOOMS for observing X-ray microbursts, SUNRISE-III for solar observations, and XL-Calibur to examine black holes and neutron stars.
• Additional piggyback missions will conduct high-altitude spectro-polarimetric measurements and monitor ultraviolet radiation and ozone levels.
• NASA's partnership with the Swedish Space Corporation provides access to ideal launch conditions and facilities at Esrange.

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