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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Scientific Ballooning

Balloon Program Office

Technology

Research and Development Lab

Research and Development Lab

Balloon Research and Development Laboratory (BRDL)

Mission

The BRDL mission is to contribute to the advancement of scientific ballooning by enhancing the capabilities of the platform via research, development, and testing. The laboratory is equipped with specialized equipment’s and tools for the testing of polymeric thin films and inflatable structures. It is also equipped to test and characterize other types of materials such as metals, ceramics, composites, fabrics, and yarns.

Scope and Capabilities

  • Equipped with state of the art specialized and customized amenities for testing inflated structures and related components.
  • Equipped to handle and characterize variety of materials including polymers, metals, ceramics, thin films, yarn and fibers, fabrics, and composites.
  • Test of model balloons, cylinders, and other inflatable structures.
  • Conduct QA/QC qualification tests on balloon structural materials.
  • Conduct leak tests on valves and fittings.
  • Conduct, wiring, testing, and calibration of various balloon sensors, and flight hardware.
  • Support research, development, and qualification for new materials.
  • The laboratory is equipped to conduct variety of testing applications such as Tensile, Creep/Creep Rupture, Stress Relaxation, Thermal Cycling, Fatigue, Photogrammetry, Thermal Analysis, Compression Testing, Impact Toughness, Tear Characterization and Seam.

For further information, please contact:
Dr. Magdi Said
(757)-824-1386
Balloon Research & Development Laboratory Manager

Magdi.a.said@nasa.gov

NASA Code 820

Scientific Balloon Update

Report back for the latest update from NASA's Balloon Program Office.