by one of the scientific groups using the balloon program. Since the payloads are at the edge of space and not in space they can be dropped by parachute and reused to continue research for years. It also only cost 1/1000th of what it would be if a rocket was used sending the science into space with the payloads in space burning up on reentry. We launch every year in the southern summer from Antarctica near McMurdo Station on Ross Island. We also launch from the arctic at the Swedish Space agency base of Esrange, near Kiruna, Sweden. Twice a year launches are carried out from Fort Sumner, NM and from Alice Springs, Australia every other year. Many other sites around the world are selected depending on the science. My new job is almost an adventure. I never though I would be going to Antarctica or the Arctic for that matter. Last year I spend the southern summer in Antarctica. This year I will be spending the holidays at home with the family in East Texas after spending six weeks in New Mexico. Next month I have to return to Esrange, Sweden for an international campaign studying the polar vortex. The days have only 56 minutes of daylight during early January with temperatures of -35 to freeze a beer on the window sill in 18 minutes. I will return to Esrange in the early summer, then next November it will be my turn to return to Antarctica. (my bold)/ This