{"id":190683,"date":"2023-02-24T11:27:09","date_gmt":"2023-02-24T16:27:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/?post_type=topic&p=190683"},"modified":"2023-08-03T16:17:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T20:17:51","slug":"faqs","status":"publish","type":"topic","link":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Scientific Balloon FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\" class=\" hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-secondary-navigation\"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-wrapper z-top width-100 padding-0\"><div id=\"\" class=\"hds-secondary-navigation width-full border-bottom-1px text-center hds-color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-hdsnav\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"hds-secondary-nav-mobile-button display-flex tablet:display-flex desktop:display-none width-full flex-align-center bg-carbon-90 border-color-carbon-80 color-spacesuit-white\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"hds-secondary-nav-track\"><span>Scientific Balloons<\/span><svg width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 400 400\" viewBox=\"0 0 400 400\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"m4.2 122.2 195.1 195.1 196.5-196.6-37.9-38-157.8 157.8-156.8-156.8z\" \/><\/svg><\/button><div class=\"hds-secondary-nav-track grid-container grid-container-extrawide padding-0 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-2 \"><div class=\"hds-secondary-navigation-menu-items\"><nav><ul class=\"usa-nav__primary usa-accordion flex-justify-center margin-0\"><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/\">Home<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/overview\/\">Overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/types-of-balloons\/\">Balloon Types<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/balloon-launch-locations\/\">Launch Locations<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/balloons-glossary\/\">Glossary<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item usa-current\"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/faqs\/\">FAQ<\/a><\/li><li class=\"usa-nav__primary-item \"><a class=\"usa-nav__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/mediaresources\/\">Media Resources<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-0 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t<div class=\"padding-0 bg-spacesuit-white wp-block-nasa-blocks-page-intro\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-page-intro hds-page-intro-banner width-full maxw-full padding-0 hds-cover-wrapper minh-tablet\">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-foreground-wrapper display-flex\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-container grid-container-block margin-top-auto margin-bottom-auto width-full maxw-desktop-lg padding-top-9 padding-x-3 z-400\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"page-heading-md line-height-sm color-spacesuit-white-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tScientific Ballon FAQ\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-lg color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNASA’s Wallops Flight Facility manages the agency\u2019s Scientific Balloon Program with 10-15 flights on average each year from launch sites worldwide.\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6 desktop:padding-right-4 margin-bottom-3 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-left mobile-skrim-top z-200\"><\/div>\n\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2048\" height=\"1365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?w=2048\" class=\"attachment-2048x2048 size-2048x2048\" alt=\"Balloon launch at dawn.\" style=\"transform: scale(1.3); transform-origin: 0% 67%; object-position: 0% 67%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg 5029w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2048px) 100vw, 2048px\" loading=\"eager\" \/><\/figure>\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q1balloons\"><strong>Why would someone want to fly an experiment on a balloon?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Flying on a balloon above 100,000 feet allows an experiment to have a clear view of the heavens above. This can allow for excellent views of heavens without any interference from the atmosphere. It is like being in space, but it cost a lot less than rocket or a space mission. Smaller “piggyback” payloads can also be flown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q3balloons\"><strong>What are the types of science experiments flown on a balloon?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Balloons support space and Earth science research and investigations. Some experiments are fundamental science research, and others are used to test out new detectors or instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q3balloons\"><strong>How does the balloon fly?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The balloon flies because of the buoyancy force. The buoyancy force is the net force that results from the difference between the mass of displaced air and the total mass of the balloon system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q4balloons\"><strong>Does the balloon need to be fully inflated before launch? If not, why not?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No, the balloon is not fully inflated before launch. A measured amount of helium is put into the balloon that will give it enough lift to get off the ground and ascend to the desired float altitude. As the balloon rises, the gas inside the balloon expands because the atmospheric pressure surrounding the balloon drops. The atmosphere is 100 to 200 times less dense at the float altitudes than on the ground. If the balloon is fully inflated on the ground, the gas will either need to be vented out (zero-pressure balloons) and wasted as it expands. In the case of super-pressure balloons (closed system), the excess gas would exert excessive pressure on the skin and ultimately can cause it to rupture. A balloon that is fully inflated on the ground will also have way too much lifting force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q5balloons\"><strong>What are the highest and lowest altitudes the NASA balloons fly?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The current highest altitude achieved by a NASA balloon is about 160,000 feet. Most scientists generally want to fly above a specific altitude or as high as possible to improve their collection of science data. There is no minimum altitude but the NASA Balloon Program generally tries to fly above 80,000 to 90,000 feet. The atmosphere at that height is incredibly cold. It’s near vacuum at balloon float altitudes. Typically the atmosphere pressure is only a few millibars.<a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q6balloons\"><strong>How fast does the balloon go after launch until it reaches float altitude?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The balloon typically rises at a speed of 1,000 feet per minute. It takes about two hours to reach a float altitude of 120,000 feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"q7\"><strong>What happens during the day to a balloon at float?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The balloon is a thermal vehicle. It heats up during the day when exposed to the sun. As a zero-pressure balloon heats it up, it vents some of the helium through the vent ducts to prevent pressurizing. It flies at a slightly higher altitude during the day. A super-pressure balloon does not vent gas when it heats up. The increased temperature increases the internal pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What happens at night to a balloon at float?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With no sun or solar input at night, the balloon cools down. As a zero-pressure balloon cools down, it will float at a lower altitude since the helium can lift less mass at a lower temperature. If the balloon vents helium during the day, it will also have less lift. Usually ballast is dropped to reduce the system mass, and to prevent the balloon from floating at too low an altitude at night. When a super-pressure balloon cools down, the internal balloon pressure in the balloon reduces. Super-pressure balloons are designed to have a minimal positive internal balloon at night. If it has a positive internal pressure, it will continue to fly at the same altitude even at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How does a balloon come back down to the ground?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Wallops Balloon and Safety offices work together to generate risk maps that look at population levels and identify safe areas for terminating a mission. A chase plane will fly with the balloon to visually verify the location is safe before it gently returns back to Earth using a parachute equipped on the payloads. The landing is so gentle that the intricate payloads onboard only need a few minor refurbishments before being ready to fly again.<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-gallery-preview padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-7 padding-x-3 bg-spacesuit-white width-full maxw-full hds-gallery-preview-count-14 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-gallery-preview\">\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"grid-row width-full\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-8\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-22\">Wallops Scientific Balloons<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-wrap flex-align-center margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"display-flex flex-align-center label hds-gallery-preview-label z-400 color-carbon-60 margin-right-3 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" style=\"enable-background:new 0 0 20 20;\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><g><path style=\"fill:#585858;\" d=\"M10,0C4.5,0-0.1,4.5,0,10.1c0.1,5.4,4.5,9.9,10.1,9.9c5.5-0.1,10-4.6,9.9-10.1C19.9,4.4,15.4,0,10,0z M10.3,19 C5.1,19.1,1,15,1,10c0-5,4-9,9-9c4.9,0,8.9,3.9,9,8.9C19.1,14.9,15.1,18.9,10.3,19z\"\/><path style=\"fill:#585858;\" d=\"M14,9c-0.8,1.2-1.5,2.5-2.3,3.7C10.5,10.5,9.2,8.2,8,6c-1.5,2.7-3,5.3-4.5,8c4.5,0,9,0,13.5,0 C16,12.3,15,10.7,14,9z\"\/><path style=\"fill:#585858;\" d=\"M13,8c1.1,0,2-0.9,2-2c0-1.1-0.9-2-2-2c-1.1,0-2,0.9-2,2C11,7,11.8,8,13,8z\"\/><\/g><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>14 Images<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-4 display-none padding-bottom-2 desktop:display-flex flex-align-start flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/gallery\/scientific-balloons\/\" class=\"button-primary margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"section-heading-md\">Go To Gallery<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-images grid-container grid-container-widescreen padding-x-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-row hds-gallery-preview-row-lg\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-col hds-gallery-preview-flex-two hds-gallery-preview-items hds-gallery-preview-grid\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-row hds-gallery-preview-row-1-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?w=200\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg 1400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=200,300 200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=768,1152 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=683,1024 683w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=1024,1536 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=1365,2048 1365w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=267,400 267w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=400,600 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=600,900 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=800,1200 800w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/balloon-3.jpg?resize=1333,2000 1333w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg 5029w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=1536,1024 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=2048,1365 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=900,600 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=1200,800 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/ballooninflation_0_0.jpg?resize=2000,1333 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-row hds-gallery-preview-row-1-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/DSC002491.jpg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg 4032w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=768,576 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=1024,768 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=1536,1152 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=2048,1536 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=400,300 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=600,450 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=900,675 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=1200,900 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/11\/image12-0.jpg?resize=2000,1500 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-col hds-gallery-preview-flex-three hds-gallery-preview-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item hds-gallery-preview-item-featured\">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-large size-large\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg?resize=1024,682 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/nz3.jpg?resize=900,599 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-row hds-gallery-preview-row-2 hds-gallery-preview-row-sm\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"234\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg?resize=300,234 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg?resize=768,599 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg?resize=1024,799 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg?resize=400,312 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg?resize=600,468 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/sweden1.jpg?resize=900,702 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/brrison08use.jpg?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg?resize=300,199 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg?resize=768,510 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg?resize=1024,680 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg?resize=600,398 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/750639main_8758321613_b5598597c5_o-full_full.jpg?resize=900,597 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=1920&h=1440&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1920w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=300&h=225&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 300w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=768&h=576&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 768w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=1024&h=768&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1024w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=1536&h=1152&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1536w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=400&h=300&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 400w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=600&h=450&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 600w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=900&h=675&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 900w, https:\/\/images-assets.nasa.gov\/image\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811\/GSFC_20171208_Archive_e001811~large.jpg?w=1200&h=900&fit=crop&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-gallery-preview-item \">\n\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full height-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg?w=300\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg 1041w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg?resize=768,512 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg?resize=1024,683 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg?resize=400,267 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg?resize=600,400 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/sweden-balloon.jpeg?resize=900,600 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-12 display-block desktop:display-none\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/gallery\/scientific-balloons\/\" class=\"button-primary margin-top-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"section-heading-md\">Go To Gallery<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"button-primary-circle\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-topic-cards nasa-gb-align-full maxw-full width-full padding-y-6 padding-x-3 color-mode-dark hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-topic-cards\">\t\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block-lg padding-x-0\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center margin-bottom-3\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"desktop:grid-col-8 margin-bottom-2 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"label color-carbon-60 margin-bottom-2\">Keep Exploring<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 line-height-sm\">Discover More From Wallops<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row grid-gap-2 hds-topic-cards-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Scientific Balloons<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg 3840w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=300,169 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=768,432 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=1024,576 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=1536,864 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=2048,1152 2048w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=400,225 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=600,338 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=900,506 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?resize=2000,1125 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wallopsrange\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Wallops Range<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"908\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=300,177 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=768,454 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=1024,605 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=1536,908 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=400,236 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=600,355 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=900,532 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=1200,709 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/goddard\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Goddard Space Flight Center<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/goddard-center.jpg?w=1024\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/goddard-center.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/goddard-center.jpg?resize=300,200 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/goddard-center.jpg?resize=768,511 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/goddard-center.jpg?resize=400,266 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/goddard-center.jpg?resize=600,399 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/goddard-center.jpg?resize=900,599 900w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wallops\/\" class=\"mobile:grid-col-12 tablet:grid-col-6 desktop:grid-col-3 topic-card margin-bottom-4 desktop:margin-bottom-0\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-topic-card hds-cover-wrapper cover-hover-zoom bg-carbon-black\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"skrim-overlay skrim-overlay-dark skrim-left mobile-skrim-top padding-3 display-flex flex-align-end flex-justify-start z-200\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"hds-topic-card-heading heading-29 color-spacesuit-white line-height-sm margin-top-0 margin-bottom-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span>Wallops Flight Facility<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"908\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?w=1536\" class=\"attachment-1536x1536 size-1536x1536\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" block_context=\"nasa-block\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=300,177 300w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=768,454 768w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=1024,605 1024w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=1536,908 1536w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=400,236 400w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=600,355 600w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=900,532 900w, https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/PJH_9548-Web.jpg?resize=1200,709 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<div id=\"\" class=\"hds-featured-link-list bg-spacesuit-white padding-x-2 tablet:padding-x-3 desktop:padding-x-4 padding-y-5 desktop:padding-y-6 hds-module hds-module-full wp-block-nasa-blocks-featured-link-list\">\t<div class=\"grid-container grid-container-block padding-0\">\n\t\t<div class=\"margin-bottom-4\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-22\">\n\t\t\t\tLearn More and Get Involved\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row padding-y-2 border-top-1px border-color-carbon-30-important\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row featured-link-list-row width-full flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 tablet:padding-right-3 desktop:padding-right-5\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"width-full\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"hds-cover-wrapper width-full ratio-1x1 radius-pill overflow-hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"hds-media-background  \"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" style=\"transform: scale(1.2); transform-origin: 50% 50%; object-position: 50% 50%; object-fit: cover;\" src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/nasa-blocks\/assets\/images\/spacex-orbit.jpg\" ><\/figure>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-8 desktop:grid-col-10 padding-left-3 desktop:padding-left-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-row flex-align-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"heading-36 margin-0\">Learning Resources<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-12 desktop:grid-col-6\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"p-md margin-0 color-carbon-black\">Explore hands-on activities, interactive, lesson plans, educator guides, and other downloadable content about this topic.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grid-col-2 desktop:grid-col-1 display-flex flex-justify-end\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\">\n                            <svg class=\"hds-featured-link-list-button margin-left-auto margin-right-0\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"none\">\n                                <circle class=\"color-nasa-red\" cx=\"16\" cy=\"16\" r=\"16\"><\/circle><path d=\"M8 16.956h12.604l-3.844 4.106 1.252 1.338L24 16l-5.988-6.4-1.252 1.338 3.844 4.106H8v1.912z\" class=\"color-spacesuit-white\"><\/path>\n                            <\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why would someone want to fly an experiment on a balloon? Flying on a balloon above 100,000 feet allows an experiment to have a clear view of the heavens above. This can allow for excellent views of heavens without any interference from the atmosphere. It is like being in space, but it cost a lot [...]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":118,"featured_media":179226,"parent":179139,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"nasa_hds_core_meta_l10n":"en-US","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_editor":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_article_contacts":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_topic":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_linked_locations":[],"nasa_hds_core_meta_article_related_articles":[],"hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_id":"","hds_migrate_meta_pr_release_type":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_x":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_location_y":"","nasa_hds_core_meta_gallery_images":[]},"categories":[11402,2872],"news-tags":[],"internal-terms":[3927],"coauthors":[10403,10199],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"WebPage","headline":"Scientific Balloon FAQs","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/faqs\/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/faqs\/"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg"},"articleSection":"Missions","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Jamie Adkins"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Sarah Roth"}],"creator":["Jamie Adkins","Sarah Roth"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NASA","logo":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/themes\/nasa\/assets\/images\/nasa-logo.svg"},"keywords":["NASA Centers & Facilities","Wallops Flight Facility","Scientific Balloons"],"dateCreated":"2023-02-24T16:27:09Z","datePublished":"2023-02-24T16:27:09Z","dateModified":"2023-08-03T20:17:51Z"},"rendered":"<meta name=\"parsely-title\" content=\"Scientific Balloon FAQs\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-link\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/scientificballoons\/faqs\/\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-type\" content=\"index\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-image-url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg?w=150&h=150&crop=1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-pub-date\" content=\"2023-02-24T16:27:09Z\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-section\" content=\"Missions\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-tags\" content=\"NASA Centers & Facilities,Wallops Flight Facility,Scientific Balloons\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Jamie Adkins\" \/>\n<meta name=\"parsely-author\" content=\"Sarah Roth\" \/>","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/nasa.gov\/p.js"},"read_time":4,"time_ago":"1 year","featured_image":{"id":179226,"file":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/02\/6launch.jpeg","title":"Super Pressure Balloon Launch from Wanaka, New Zealand","alt":"A crane is leading a scientific balloon before launch. The balloon is to the right, and appears an a plastic, upside down teardrop. A tube attached to the top of the balloon leads down to the ground where a number of personnel are holding it. To the left, a crane holding a large payload structure with many solar panels is attached to the end of the balloon.","caption":"NASA is returning to Wanaka, New Zealand, for another Super Pressure Balloon (SPB) launch campaign in 2017. Pictured here, the 18.8 million-cubic-foot SPB prepares fro lift-off from Wanaka Airport in 2016."},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/190683"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/topic"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/118"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/190683\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":481589,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/190683\/revisions\/481589"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic\/179139"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179226"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=190683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=190683"},{"taxonomy":"news-tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-tags?post=190683"},{"taxonomy":"internal-terms","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/internal-terms?post=190683"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=190683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}