viii
Foreword
The following are comments by three eminent scientists who spent their early
formative careers launching instruments and payloads on balloons into the
stratosphere.
Dr. John C. Mather and Dr. George F. Smoot shared the 2006 Nobel Prize in
Physics for their work on the Cosmic Background Explorer that led to the “discovery of the black body form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background
radiation”. As an astronaut, Dr. John M. Grunsfeld helped to service and repair the
Hubble Space Telescope. He went on to become NASA’s Chief Scientist.
Their balloon experiences surely made lasting impressions on them and helped
to define their scientific interests and future paths. They are truly an inspiration for
young students and future scientists, as well as to those who are already involved
in ballooning.
Foreword
The following are comments by three eminent scientists who spent their early
formative careers launching instruments and payloads on balloons into the
stratosphere.
Dr. John C. Mather and Dr. George F. Smoot shared the 2006 Nobel Prize in
Physics for their work on the Cosmic Background Explorer that led to the “discovery of the black body form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background
radiation”. As an astronaut, Dr. John M. Grunsfeld helped to service and repair the
Hubble Space Telescope. He went on to become NASA’s Chief Scientist.
Their balloon experiences surely made lasting impressions on them and helped
to define their scientific interests and future paths. They are truly an inspiration for
young students and future scientists, as well as to those who are already involved
in ballooning.