Strato-Science 2019 campaign

Four stratospheric balloons carrying 11 Canadian payloads were launched from the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base to test new technologies, conduct science experiments and take measurements at altitudes ranging from 18 to 39 km. The flights took place from August 25 to September 27, 2019, and lasted between 12 and 28 hours each.

In addition, two smaller balloons (about the size of weather balloons) were launched with educational payloads onboard. These balloons burst at altitudes ranging from 30 to 35 km and were recovered after landing with a parachute.

List of payloads

Canadian Atmospheric Laser Absorption Spectroscopy Experiment Test-bed (CALASET)

Partners: 

University of Toronto

Objective: 

Improve an instrument that measures atmospheric gases at high altitudes

High-Altitude Balloon Light at Night Experiment (HABLAN)

Partners: 

Cégep Sherbrooke, Eötvös Loránd University (Hungary)

Objective: 

Acquisition of multi-spectral images of nocturnal artificial light (light pollution)

Limb Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer Experiment (LIFE)

Partners: 

University of Saskatchewan, Environment Canada, ABB, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (Germany)

Objective: 

Test an instrument capable of measuring greenhouse gases in the upper atmosphere

Stratospheric Optical Rubidium Clock Experiment (SORCE)

Partners: 

University of Toronto

Objective: 

Demonstrate a compact atomic clock

HiDRON

Partners: 

Stratodynamics Aviation Inc., Institute of Experimental Physics at Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovakia), and UAVOS Inc.

Objective: 

Collect atmospheric and Earth observation data at high altitude

World Observer Learning Flight (WOLF)

Partners: 

LaSalle Community Comprehensive High School (LCCHS)

Objective: 

Collect high-altitude atmospheric data

Otachi-8 and ProtosAT-4

Partners: 

Nanikana Aerospatiale

Objective: 

Test radio communication and power modules, and film the ascent of a CubeSat

Atmospheric Cloud Chamber of the Okanagan University (AC2O)

Partners: 

University of British Columbia, as part of the Canadian Stratospheric Balloon Experiment Design Challenge (CAN-SBX) led by Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS Canada)

Objective: 

Investigate particles in Earth's upper atmosphere that originate from primary cosmic rays

High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) Microbial Aerosols Sampling

Partners: 

Western University, as part of the CAN-SBX Challenge led by SEDS Canada

Objective: 

Obtain bio-aerosols and moisture samples vertically throughout Earth's atmosphere

SuperBIT

Partners: 

University of Toronto, Princeton University (USA), and Durham University (UK)

Objective: 

Verify the performance of the new telescope and camera of the instrument, which (once fully operational) will map out the distribution of dark matter around hundreds of galaxy clusters

Contact

Should you have any questions regarding the STRATOS program, contact us at stratos_administration@asc-csa.gc.ca.

Explore further

• STRATOS campaigns
• About stratospheric balloons
• Timmins stratospheric balloon base