Animations

Las Cruces NM Test Flight
January 24, 1998

These animations are in Apple Quicktime format.

Note: Viewing of the High Resolution movies requires QT version 3 or later.  Get it free here.
UNIX system users will need X-Anim or the JMPLAY java applet to view the movies.

bal_fil.jpg (4666 bytes)

hel_trk.jpg (5854 bytes)

release.jpg (3329 bytes)

FILLING THE BALLOON

PREPARING THE PAYLOAD

RELEASING THE BALLOON
At the launch site south of  San Antonio, NM, PSL personnel fill the 9,000 cu.ft. polyethylene balloon with helium, and weight off the free lift. At the launch site near San Antonio, NM, PSL personnel attach the PSL and FSL payloads to the 9,000 cu.ft. polyethylene balloon. At the launch site near San Antonio, NM, PSL personnel release the 9,000 cu.ft. polyethylene balloon at 12:40 MST (1940 UTC) on Saturday, January 24, 1998.
Low Resolution 28.8K ISDN
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bluelake.jpg (1700 bytes)

NOAA-3t.gif (7498 bytes)

camera.jpg (2884 bytes)

BLUE LAKE, NM

I-25 ON ASCENT
Blue Lake, NM viewed at flight altitude from the downward-pointing camera. An onboard video camera recorded footage at preset times.  In this view recorded during ascent, Interstate 25 can be seen as the white line feature running vertically through the field of view.
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yagi.jpg (3389 bytes)

x-files.jpg (2171 bytes)

pkg_fnd.jpg (5262 bytes)

ACQUIRING TELEMETRY

RECOVERING THE PAYLOAD

WE FOUND IT !!!
The FSL Recovery Team tries to get a telemetry fix on the balloon from their position near Clint, TX, at around 18:00 MST (0100 UTC 25 January 1998). Using a combination of hand-held GPS and an animal beacon, the FSL and PSL Recovery Teams reach the payload at about 21:45 MST (0745 UTC 25 January 1998).   The flapping parachute can be heard. The payload landed west of Ft. Stockton, TX, off US 285 about 0.5 miles from the road.  The parachute had hung up in a thorn bush.
Low Resolution 28.8K ISDN
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Prepared by Randall Collander, randall.s.collander@noaa.gov
Last modified:Monday, May 14, 2001 17:30:07