formation, as well as the origins of galaxies. But of course, such missions will rely
on advances in sensors (detectors), cryogenics, and devices to control their pointing accuracies.
8.1.5 Supernova 1987a
Within a few months of the February 24, 1987 optical discovery of SN1987a in the
Large Magellanic Cloud, a small nearby galaxy, the balloon-borne Gamma-Ray
Imaging Payload (GRIP) imaged gamma-rays released by the ejecta from a supernova for the first time.
Over the next two years, a highly successful series of payloads was flown from
Australia, including GRIP and the Gamma-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (GRIS).
Their measurements of gamma-ray lines from freshly created radioactive nuclei
confirmed the basic theory of supernovas.
Such a short lead-time from the discovery of a celestial event to achieving
direct observations in wavelengths only observable above the atmosphere was
possible within the balloon program. If observations had waited for the typical
multi-year lead-time for a spacecraft mission the rapidly fading gamma-ray emission would have been undetectable
For a 1:39 minute explanation of gamma-rays, go to:
https://youtu.be/PPlrtgilgK8
For a 3:02 minute explanation of gamma-ray bursts, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpuVnqYIgbo&t=2s
8.2 COMMERCIAL SUCCESSES
Chapter 5 showed that many companies are involved in the commercialization of
balloons of many types and for many purposes. This is true of both domestic and
international ventures. Regardless of the purpose of the business venture, there is
a trickle down of the supply chain to the manufacturers of the balloons, flight and
ground support apparatus, and computer systems. There is also increased support
in the service areas and recovery locations.
8.2.1 Internet Services
Loon
One example of a commercial balloon business that appeared to be successful but
folded in January, 2021 is the Loon Project of Alphabet, Inc., which, for the past
couple of years has launched more balloons than NASA (at least 250 since 2019).
190 Accomplishments
on advances in sensors (detectors), cryogenics, and devices to control their pointing accuracies.
8.1.5 Supernova 1987a
Within a few months of the February 24, 1987 optical discovery of SN1987a in the
Large Magellanic Cloud, a small nearby galaxy, the balloon-borne Gamma-Ray
Imaging Payload (GRIP) imaged gamma-rays released by the ejecta from a supernova for the first time.
Over the next two years, a highly successful series of payloads was flown from
Australia, including GRIP and the Gamma-Ray Imaging Spectrometer (GRIS).
Their measurements of gamma-ray lines from freshly created radioactive nuclei
confirmed the basic theory of supernovas.
Such a short lead-time from the discovery of a celestial event to achieving
direct observations in wavelengths only observable above the atmosphere was
possible within the balloon program. If observations had waited for the typical
multi-year lead-time for a spacecraft mission the rapidly fading gamma-ray emission would have been undetectable
For a 1:39 minute explanation of gamma-rays, go to:
https://youtu.be/PPlrtgilgK8
For a 3:02 minute explanation of gamma-ray bursts, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpuVnqYIgbo&t=2s
8.2 COMMERCIAL SUCCESSES
Chapter 5 showed that many companies are involved in the commercialization of
balloons of many types and for many purposes. This is true of both domestic and
international ventures. Regardless of the purpose of the business venture, there is
a trickle down of the supply chain to the manufacturers of the balloons, flight and
ground support apparatus, and computer systems. There is also increased support
in the service areas and recovery locations.
8.2.1 Internet Services
Loon
One example of a commercial balloon business that appeared to be successful but
folded in January, 2021 is the Loon Project of Alphabet, Inc., which, for the past
couple of years has launched more balloons than NASA (at least 250 since 2019).
190 Accomplishments