Stratospheric flights over tropical latitudes with polyethylene balloons of large volume

Abstract

Balloons, upto two million cubic feet in volume, made out of locally extruded polyethylene film 0.0011 inches thick, have been successfully flown and altitudes of upto 120,000 ft. attained. Instrumented pay-loads upto 100 kg. in weight have been floated at level ceilings around these altitudes. Various aspects, (such as balloon material, shape and design, and launching methods), which relate to the technique of flying polyethylene balloons of large volume over tropical latitudes are briefly discussed.