FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE WEBINAR
Testing Payload Return Capabilities on High-Altitude Balloons
Speakers:
- Tyler Kunsa, SpaceWorks
- Kevin Tucker, Near Space Corporation
July 6, 2022
Abstract
High-altitude balloons provide access to the unique environment of the stratosphere. In addition to enabling evaluations of payloads in extreme temperature and pressure conditions, these flights can also allow researchers to evaluate methods for releasing payloads and guiding them back down to Earth. Tyler Kunsa, principal investigator for the Re-entry Device 4U (RED-4U) demonstration from SpaceWorks Enterprises, will highlight how he and his team leveraged this unique feature of high-altitude balloon tests to advance their payload return capsule technology. Tyler will be joined by Kevin Tucker, president of balloon flight provider Near Space Corporation, to discuss their experience working together on two Flight Opportunities-supported flight campaigns. Kevin will also illustrate the capabilities of this versatile suborbital platform.
