page_title: Esrange
hierarchical_section_title: Esrange
caption_attribution_description: BLAST (the Balloon-borne Large Aperture Sub-millimetre Telescope) on the 'flightline' at Esrange. This photo was taken within one hour of the 1:10 UTC June 12 2005 launch. BLAST is the large structure at the far right (covered mostly by aluminized mylar and solar arrays) hanging from the launch vehicle (yellow). Several grad students are standing in front of the launch vehicle for scale. BLAST is attached to both the launch vehicle and the flight train at the top. The flight train (cables that BLAST suspends from during flight) is draped over the top of the launch vehicle where it attaches to the parachute (orange/white) which is in turn attached to the balloon (white). The balloon is stretched along the ground until it gets to the 'spool truck', above which it is filled with helium, which is ongoing (through the two white tubes extending from near the top of the balloon to the ground) at the time the photo was taken. The balloon is only partially inflated before launch. As the balloon ascends and the atmospheric pressure decreases, the helium in the balloon will expand and eventually fill the balloon fully, at which point the balloon will stop rising, a point referred to as 'float,' at 35 - 40 km altitude. At launch time, the spool truck will release the balloon, which will rise up over the launch vehicle. When the balloon is directly overhead the launch vehicle, the launch vehicle will release BLAST, allowing ascent. Because of variations in wind and other conditions, the launch vehicle often needs to maneuver quickly during launch to safely release the payload.
context_page_description: Esrange Space Center is a rocket range and research centre located about 40 kilometers east of the town of Kiruna in northern Sweden. It is a base for scientific research with high-altitude balloons, investigation of the aurora borealis, sounding rocket launches, and satellite tracking, among other things. Located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle and surrounded by a vast wilderness, its geographic location is ideal for many of these purposes.
  Esrange was built in 1964 by ESRO, the European Space Research Organisation, which later became European Space Agency by merging with ELDO, the European Launcher Development Organisation. The first rocket launch from Esrange occurred on 19 November 1966. In 1972, ownership was transferred to the newly started Swedish Space Corporation.
context_section_description: Esrange Space Center (short form Esrange) is a rocket range and research centre located about 40 kilometers east of the town of Kiruna in northern Sweden. It is a base for scientific research with high-altitude balloons, investigation of the aurora borealis, sounding rocket launches, and satellite tracking, among other things. Located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle and surrounded by a vast wilderness, its geographic location is ideal for many of these purposes.
  Esrange was built in 1964 by ESRO, the European Space Research Organisation, which later became European Space Agency by merging with ELDO, the European Launcher Development Organisation. The first rocket launch from Esrange occurred on 19 November 1966. In 1972, ownership was transferred to the newly started Swedish Space Corporation.
caption: The BLAST payload and high-altitude balloon shortly before launch.
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