NASA Planetary Division report
The 2016 report “Planetary Balloon-Based Science Platform Evaluation and
Program Implementation” summarized the consensus at the time. It is probably
still appropriate today, as that world moves slowly. It considered the potential science that was achievable and science traceability relative to the most recent planetary science decadal survey, potential platform features, and the need for
demonstration flights in the evaluation process.
Science Potential and Benefits
This study confirmed the cost-benefit value for planetary science purposes, with
44 important questions of the Decadal Survey being at least partially addressable
with balloon-based capabilities. Planetary science through balloon observations
can provide significant science through observations in the wavelength range 300
nanometers to 5 micrometers and at longer wavelengths as well.
Additionally, balloon missions have demonstrated the ability to progress from
concept to observation to publication much more rapidly than a space mission,
thereby increasing the rate of science return. Planetary science from a balloonborne platform is a relatively low-cost approach to new science measurements.
This is particularly appropriate for a cost-constrained planetary science budget.
Repeated flights further cut the cost per unit of science data. Put simply, flights
using balloons offer observing time at a very competitive cost.
Another advantage for planetary scientists is that a dedicated asset could provide significant new viewing opportunities that are not possible from the ground,
and allow unprecedented access to observations that cannot be realized with the
time allocation pressures faced by current observing assets. In addition, flight systems that have a relatively short life cycle and where hardware is generally recovered are excellent opportunities to train early career scientists, engineers, and
project managers. Also, the fact that balloon-borne payloads (unlike space missions) are usually recovered offers an excellent means of testing and maturing
instruments and other spacecraft systems.
Desired Gondola Features
The study assessed potential gondola characteristics, and recommended in favor
of Gondola for High Altitude Planetary Science (GHAPS). This first generation
platform is designed around a 1 m or larger aperture, narrow-field telescope with
pointing accuracies better than one arc-second. A classical Cassegrain, or variant
like Ritchey-Chretien, telescope is recommended for the primary telescope. The
gondola should be designed for multiple flights, so it must be robust and readily
processed at recovery. It must be as lightweight as possible in order to allow for
long-duration flights on super-pressure balloons.
318 Appendix 5: Planetary Balloons
The 2016 report “Planetary Balloon-Based Science Platform Evaluation and
Program Implementation” summarized the consensus at the time. It is probably
still appropriate today, as that world moves slowly. It considered the potential science that was achievable and science traceability relative to the most recent planetary science decadal survey, potential platform features, and the need for
demonstration flights in the evaluation process.
Science Potential and Benefits
This study confirmed the cost-benefit value for planetary science purposes, with
44 important questions of the Decadal Survey being at least partially addressable
with balloon-based capabilities. Planetary science through balloon observations
can provide significant science through observations in the wavelength range 300
nanometers to 5 micrometers and at longer wavelengths as well.
Additionally, balloon missions have demonstrated the ability to progress from
concept to observation to publication much more rapidly than a space mission,
thereby increasing the rate of science return. Planetary science from a balloonborne platform is a relatively low-cost approach to new science measurements.
This is particularly appropriate for a cost-constrained planetary science budget.
Repeated flights further cut the cost per unit of science data. Put simply, flights
using balloons offer observing time at a very competitive cost.
Another advantage for planetary scientists is that a dedicated asset could provide significant new viewing opportunities that are not possible from the ground,
and allow unprecedented access to observations that cannot be realized with the
time allocation pressures faced by current observing assets. In addition, flight systems that have a relatively short life cycle and where hardware is generally recovered are excellent opportunities to train early career scientists, engineers, and
project managers. Also, the fact that balloon-borne payloads (unlike space missions) are usually recovered offers an excellent means of testing and maturing
instruments and other spacecraft systems.
Desired Gondola Features
The study assessed potential gondola characteristics, and recommended in favor
of Gondola for High Altitude Planetary Science (GHAPS). This first generation
platform is designed around a 1 m or larger aperture, narrow-field telescope with
pointing accuracies better than one arc-second. A classical Cassegrain, or variant
like Ritchey-Chretien, telescope is recommended for the primary telescope. The
gondola should be designed for multiple flights, so it must be robust and readily
processed at recovery. It must be as lightweight as possible in order to allow for
long-duration flights on super-pressure balloons.
318 Appendix 5: Planetary Balloons