Media Advisory: First Stratospheric Balloons Launch From Timmins

LONGUEUIL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Aug 29, 2013) - In early September, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the French space agency, the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), will launch from Timmins Ontario the first two stratospheric balloons of their Stratos Balloon Program.

Flight	Size of the balloon		Date		Description
1st test flight	100,000m3		Between September 3-8		First test flight to qualify CNES' new balloon operation system.
2nd test flight	800,000m3 and nearly 324 metres in length-equal to the height of the Eiffel Tower		Between September 9-17		Second test flight with two Canadian payloads aboard: Canadian firm DPL Science Inc. will test a generic-power subsystem that could potentially be used in subsequent balloon campaigns and onboard satellites. Canadian firm Xiphos will test a payload consisting of a new miniaturized data-processing card technology. Xiphos hopes to certify this technology for use in future space missions.

Weather conditions will be monitored closely every day to determine when the launches can take place. Once the go-ahead is given, preparation for the launch will start. When released, the balloon will fly for about four to ten hours and will typically land in a 500 km radius area from the launch site. If the winds blow east, it could land close to Rouyn-Noranda, Amos or Val d'Or. If it blows west, it could land close to Wawa, Kapuskasing, Chapleau or Sudbury. A recovery team will be sent to the landing site to pick up the balloon envelope and the flight chain.

Spokespeople from the CSA, CNES and Timmins Victor M. Power Airport will be available for interviews on launch day.

Instructions for media on-site (media need to enter via the airport entrance):

Time		Location		What
5 to 4 hours prior to launch		Balloon launch base		Last weather briefing Media will be allowed to film the mission control room (through a window) as well as the payload planned for the 2nd flight
4 to 1 hours prior to launch		Airport Fire Hall approx. 350 m from launch pad		Flight chain preparation Members of the media will be escorted to the launch pad in small groups.
1 hour prior to launch		Airport Fire Hall		Balloon is inflated with helium.
Launch		Airport Fire Hall		Launch (depending on the time of day, lighting conditions might not be optimal)

Learn more about the sequence of a stratospheric balloon flight

Date:	First launch: between September 3 and September 8*
	Second launch between September 9 and September 17*
Time:	Stratospheric balloon launches depend on weather conditions. They take place early in the morning or in the evening.
	CSA will issue a media advisory about 12 hours prior to the launches once a date and time have been set.*
What:	Two stratospheric balloon launches
Where:	Timmins Victor M. Power Airport (Please use the airport entrance)
	4599 Airport Rd,
	Timmins, ON
	P4N 7C3

* The date and time may change without advance notice.

About stratospheric balloons:

- Information on stratospheric balloons.

- Video.

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