CNES Balloons capabilities
| ZPB
(Zero Pressure Balloon) |
SPB
(Super pressure balloon) |
SB
(Sounding balloon) |
BLPB
(Boundary layer pressurized balloon) |
AEC
(Aeroclipper) |
|
| Picture
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Scientific
domains |
Chemistry/ dynamics of the atmosphere Astronomy Technology |
Chemistry/ dynamics of the atmosphere
|
Vertical profiles/ light instruments validation |
Exploration of meteorological phenomena in the earth boundary layer |
Exploration of meteorological phenomena in the sea-atmosphere boundary layer |
| Balloon
types |
Open, non pressurized balloon | Super pressure balloon | Expandable balloon | Super
pressure balloon |
Super
pressure semi tethered airship |
| Envelope
Materials |
15-25 µm
polyethylene |
Polyester/
Polyamide Multilayer |
Latex/
Chloroprene |
Polyester/
Polyamide Multilayer |
SN503 fabric and
Polyester/ Polyamide/ Polyester complex |
| Gas | He | He | He | He/Air | He |
| Diameter | max: 148 m | 5 types: 8,5, 10, 11, 12, 13 m | At ground: 2 m Cieling: 10 m | 2,5 m/2,6 m | 4 meters high
10 m long |
| Volume | 3000 to 1 200 000 m3 | 320 – 1150 m3 |
Ground: 8 m3 max Ceiling: 500 m3 |
8-9 m3 | 39 m3 |
| Flight
duration |
From some hours
to 5 days |
3 months | 2-3 hours | Some weeks | Some weeks |
| Mass at
hook |
50–1750 kg | 50 kg | 3 kg | 3 kg | A few kg |
| Flight
altitude |
15 to 40 km | 18-21 km | Up to 40 km | 500 to 3000 m | Airship at 50 m |
CNES available gondolas
- BANA: 2 m x 0.8 m x 1 m
- HELIOS: 2.06 m x 1.43 m x 1.44 m
- CARMENCITA: 2.45 m x 1.85 m x 2.20 m
- CARMEN: 2.45 m x 1.85 mx 3 m
Onboard Services:
- Power supply for Carmencita and Carmen.
- Elevation and azimuth pointing if requested, for Carmencita and Carmen.
- TMTC for all gondolas.
- Instrument mass: up to 550 kg for CARMEN.
- Pointing accuracy: 1 arcsec (with stellar sensor).
