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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Scientific Ballooning

Balloon Program Office

Operational Capabilities

Fort Sumner Launch of 702N (turn-around) - JPL-Remote-GLO on a 29 MCF - 7 Oct 2019

A trajectory map of Fort Sumner in early October An altitude graph in early October

Depicted above is a westward trajectory out of a launch from Fort Sumner in early October. The colors tracing the trajectory course in the image above correspond to balloon altitude. The graph shows the balloon's altitude on an hourly basis from launch to termination.

A trajectory map of Fort Sumner that depicts a Turn-around trend A balloon flying in s blue sky

At "Turn-around," which usually commences in the latter part of September or early October, the stratospheric winds begin to shift, ultimately trending in a west-to-east direction. Flight occurring during the wind shift can experience some unusual trajectories. Observers in Fort Sumner were treated to the rare sight of the balloon at float, which after flying almost to Mexico, reversed course and overflew the launch site some six hours after it was released.

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