The Launch

 Pulling into the circular drive around the building, we were surprised to see only one other car. We were early but had envisioned many more cars and people.

    We parked near the front door of the Allegheny Observatory, got out and walked down the sloping lawn in front of the building. The trees were in bloom and the sky was a deep shade of blue with no clouds to be seen. It was quite a difference from the storms that passed through the area the night before.

    Ann Marie and I had come to watch the test launch of a balloon in preparation for next year’s solar eclipse. (Less than a year away!) NASA and the University of Pittsburgh are planning a couple balloon launches during the eclipse to study the thin wavering bands of shadows seen just before and after these events. 

    While talking with a neighborhood dog walker, I saw Lou Coban, the head man at the observatory, coming out from the back of the building, wheeling two large gas canisters. His team followed behind carrying more gear. (They had parked further back from where we were) 

    They pinned a tarp onto the grass and started unpacking their gear. The balloon was wrapped in a plastic bag. White cloves were donned before anything was unpacked, I’m guessing to help maintain as much sterility as possible. Checklists had been checked and still questions flew, making sure nothing was forgotten.

    This was their second test flight with a possible 8 more before the April 8, 2024 eclipse. They plan on launching their two balloons from a location in Texas.

    The payload has two cameras, one pointing up at the balloon and the other, a 360 degree camera looking down at the ground. There is also a tracking device to help them find it after it parachutes to the ground. They are guessing that the flight will last about an hour, barring any difficulties, before the balloon reaches 85000 feet and the payload is released or the balloon pops.

    The group will then mount a expedition to try and reclaim the payload. The observatories name and phone number are printed on the sides in case someone comes across it before they locate it. A past flight took the balloon over the Laurel Highlands.

    The balloon was filled, using a gauge, they tested its lifting capability as they proceeded, adding just a bit more than the payload weight.

“Don’t let go!!!”

    Once the balloon was filled, the bottom was sealed and the items going on the ride were attached, one below the other.

    Verbally they rechecked their lists and at 10:13 the cord holding it to the earth was released. The balloon, mimicking the shape of the near-by observatory quickly rose up, getting smaller and smaller to the people below.  The observers and crew took pictures and shaded their eyes, watching it as it disappeared.

    Then, the clean-up started. The tools were put back where they belonged, where they could be found for the next flight. This was when Ann Marie and I returned to the car. After enjoying the show, we were ready to search out a diner and get some breakfast!

    Later, in the afternoon, we found out that the balloon went to 95,288 feet before it ruptured. The release device didn’t work for some reason. The payload was found in the top of a tree which had to be cut down to retrieve it. This is why they do the test flights, to help eliminate these problems. Next time it will be an even better flight!