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research involving the Earths
atmosphere, such as investing
levels of pollution in the stratosphere and how these effect
global warming.
Testing out earth observation
technology such as high definition imaging devices for later use
in orbital space craft.
The use of Lasers in space, to
see if these could be used to track
and possibly remove small space
debris by reducing its orbital
velocity and causing it fall to earth
faster.
The detection of micro organizations high in the earths atmosphere to see how far up life , such
as Bacteria’s, can survive.
At 30km the Earths atmosphere is very similar in density
to that at ground level on Mars,
so equipment for detecting life on
Mars could be tested by the Big
Space Balloon.
( Please see our website for a
range of balloon related scientific
phenomena like the Aurora
missions ).
Borealis that can occasionally
Prof Robertus Erdelyi is
destroy our mode satellites, tele-
Head of the Solar Physics and
communication systems or even
Space Plasma Research Centre
may preventing us to make a
at Sheffield University and is cur-
simple phone call?
rently developing instruments to
Their is no way of steering
detect Plasma emissions from the
stratospheric Balloons, so it will
Sun, which we aim to include in
be carried with the wind.
the Big Space Balloons science
capsule.
At the altitudes were aiming
towards the thin air at these levels
The atmosphere of the planets
means that the winds have very
in the Solar System strongly inter-
little force, but balloons can be
act with huge magnetised plasma
carried for several thousand miles.
flows originating from the Sun,
The winds are easterly during
and often associated with massive
the summer and westerly during
solar plasma eruptions and mag-
the winter. Depending on where
netised solar tornadoes, causing
we launch, time of year and how
ICY SCIENCE | WINTER 2013- 2014