NASA`s balloon technology to track planetary targets

Washington: Scientists who track planetary targets as they move in the solar system have a new device to carry out planetary observations.

NASA`s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia has designed a new pointing system - the Wallops Arc Second Pointer (WASP) - that can point balloon-borne scientific instruments at targets with sub arc-second accuracy and stability. High-altitude balloons offer a unique, low-cost platform to carry out planetary observations. “High-altitude balloons above 95 percent of the earth`s atmosphere allow for observations in the ultraviolet- and infrared-wavelength bands which aren`t possible with ground-based telescopes,” explained principal investigator Terry Hurford from the Observatory for Planetary Investigations from the Stratosphere (OPIS). "Arc-second pointing is unbelievably precise. Some compare it to the ability to find and track an object that is the diameter of a dime from two miles away,” said David Stuchlik, the WASP project manager. WASP is designed to be a highly flexible, standardised system capable of supporting many science payloads. "This effort provides us with a unique opportunity to build a capability that we can leverage for future opportunities. WASP gives us a new platform,” added Hurford. Planetary scientists really haven`t been involved in balloon payloads so far. Planetary targets move with respect to the stars in the background. “Because you need to track them to gather measurements, you need a system that can accurately point and then follow a target. These challenges are why planetary scientists haven`t gotten into the balloon game,” explained Hurford. NASA plans to test the device later this year.