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A crane is leading a scientific balloon before launch. The balloon is to the right, and appears an a plastic, upside down teardrop. A tube attached to the top of the balloon leads down to the ground where a number of personnel are holding it. To the left, a crane holding a large payload structure with many solar panels is attached to the end of the balloon.

Scientific Balloons

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility manages the agency’s Scientific Balloon Program with 10-15 flights on average each year from launch sites worldwide.

balloons by the numbers

57

days longest balloon flight record

30+

years for NASA’s balloon program

Program Overview

Our mission is to provide the nation with a low-cost, fast-response access to near-space.

NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program provides a platform for scientific investigation and technology development. The program supports 3-5 campaigns each year with 10-15 individual flights. There are 30-40 active missions in various states of development each year.

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Evan Youngberg points up in the air while explaining scientific balloons to three students.
Evan Youngberg, pathways intern in NASA’s Balloon Program Office, discusses NASA’s work with balloons during the Junior Achievement Inspire Career Event.
NASA/Jamie Adkins