TIFR to launch 10-balloon flights for scientific purposes from November 15

The Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) is going to launch 10-balloon flights for scientific purposes from November 15 to April 30, 2017. It will be launched in support of the Department of Atomic Energy and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

“The balloons will carry scientific instruments for research at high altitudes. The balloons will attain the height of 30 kilometers to 42 kilometers. It will reach the height according to the nature of research which is to be undertaken,” said B Suneel Kumar, Scientist-in-Charge, TIFR in a statement.

The balloons which are to be sent in air are made of twin (polyethylene) plastic films, ranging in diameters from 50-meters to 85-meters.

The instruments which will be sent in balloon will be kept at those heights for about few to 10 hours. After that, the instruments will be released from balloon. Then, it will come down to ground on large coloured parachutes.