NASA Balloons For Space Exploration

Mission Statement

"The primary objective of the NASA Balloon Program is to provide high altitude scientific balloon platforms for scientific and technological investigations.

These investigations include fundamental scientific discoveries that contribute to our understanding of the Earth, the solar system, and the universe. Scientific balloons also provide a platform for the demonstration of promising new instrument and spacecraft technologies that enable or enhance the objectives for the Science Mission Directorate Strategic Plan."

Types of balloons used by NASA

The NASA Balloon Program Office employs a variety of balloon types to lift scientific payloads into the Earth's atmosphere. These balloons are used to support a wide range of space and Earth science research missions, with different balloon types offering unique benefits for specific payloads. Currently, the NASA Balloon Flight program utilizes two main types of balloons: zero-pressure and super-pressure balloons.

While both types of balloons can be used for different flight types, zero-pressure balloons are typically employed for shorter flights, while super-pressure balloons are necessary for extended flights. Zero-pressure balloons are designed for flights that are limited to the summer season in the polar regions and are not suitable for long-duration missions. On the other hand, super-pressure balloons are capable of extended flights, providing increased versatility for research purposes.



The NASA Balloon Program Office offers a range of balloon sizes, each with corresponding capabilities to accommodate different payload requirements. This enables scientists and researchers to select the appropriate balloon type and size for their specific mission needs, ensuring optimal performance and data collection during their scientific investigations.

Zero Pressure Balloons

Zero-pressure balloons, used in the NASA Balloon Program, are designed with open bottoms and ducts hanging from the sides to allow gas to escape and prevent pressure build-up as the balloon ascends into the Earth's atmosphere. This design is necessary to accommodate gas expansion during the balloon's ascent. However, this type of balloon has limitations in terms of duration due to gas loss, which is primarily caused by the day/night cycling of the balloon. As a result, zero-pressure balloons are typically used for shorter flights and are not suitable for extended missions.

Super Pressure Balloons (ULDB - Pumpkin)

Super-pressure balloons, also known as ultra-long distance balloons (ULDBs), are designed with a completely sealed envelope without any open ducts. Unlike zero-pressure balloons, gas cannot escape from the balloon, resulting in pressure build-up as the gas expands during ascent. This unique design allows super-pressure balloons to fly for longer durations compared to zero-pressure balloons, as gas loss is minimized. Due to their distinctive shape resembling a pumpkin, super-pressure balloons are commonly referred to as "the Pumpkin". These balloons are utilized in various NASA Balloon Program missions for extended flights and enable scientific investigations at high altitudes for prolonged periods of time.

What are NASA balloons made of?

Both zero-pressure and super-pressure balloons used in NASA's Balloon Program are constructed with thin polyethylene film, similar in thickness to plastic sandwich wrap. The most common size of NASA's balloons is 40 million cubic feet, which is equivalent to over 195 Goodyear blimps (with a Goodyear Blimp measuring 202,700 ft). When fully inflated, the volume of the balloon is so large that it could easily contain a football stadium. Technicians inflate these balloons using helium gas, and once inflated, they ascend to altitudes of around 120,000 feet, which is more than twice as high as commercial airplanes typically fly. This allows for unique scientific investigations at high altitudes in the Earth's atmosphere.

Restrictions for balloon launches.

Balloons in free-flight may face operational limitations depending on the type of mission being conducted. These restrictions can include:

(a) The need to avoid high population centers for safety reasons during long duration missions.

(b) The need to avoid regions that are restricted for geopolitical reasons.

(c) The desire to fly over a specific region for observational purposes.

(d) The preference to recover the payload in acceptable areas after the mission.

(e) The aim to enable new scientific investigations, especially in the field of Earth Science.

These considerations play a crucial role in planning and executing balloon missions, taking into account safety, regulatory, and scientific requirements to ensure the success of the mission while adhering to operational constraints.

Launch locations for balloons

The selection of balloon launch locations depends on various factors, including mission duration, safety considerations, scientific objectives, cost, wind patterns, and more. Some of the launch locations used by NASA's Balloon Program include:

1. Palestine, Texas
2. Fort Sumner, New Mexico
3. Pacific Missile Range Facility, Hawaii
4. Alice Springs, Australia
5. McMurdo Station, Antarctica
6. Esrange, Kiruna, Sweden
7. Wanaka, New Zealand



Balloon flights launched from locations in the U.S. typically have shorter durations, lasting hours to a day, and are referred to as conventional balloon flights. On the other hand, flights from other locations can have longer durations, ranging from days to weeks, and are known as long-duration balloon flights. The selection of launch locations is carefully considered to ensure the success of the mission while meeting various operational requirements.

The future of planetary ballooning

The NASA Balloon Program, in partnership with other NASA centres and private industry, is actively exploring the potential of balloon missions for planetary and space body exploration. Current NASA missions of particular interest are focused on Mars, Venus, and Titan.

Balloons offer a unique advantage for in-situ measurements at various altitudes that may not be achievable with other platforms such as satellites and rovers. By utilizing balloons, NASA scientists can gather valuable data and conduct scientific investigations at different altitudes, providing new insights into the composition, atmosphere, and environment of these planetary and space body targets.

Through ongoing research and collaborations, the NASA Balloon Program is pushing the boundaries of exploration by leveraging the capabilities of balloons to enable innovative and cost-effective missions to explore other planets and space bodies in our solar system.