Lightweight Liquid Helium Dewar for High-Altitude Balloon Payloads
TBMG-17455
10/01/2013
- Content
Astrophysical observations at millimeter wavelengths require large (2-to-5- meter diameter) telescopes carried to altitudes above 35 km by scientific research balloons. The scientific performance is greatly enhanced if the telescope is cooled to temperatures below 10 K with no emissive windows between the telescope and the sky. Standard liquid helium bucket dewars can contain a suitable telescope for telescope diameter less than two meters. However, the mass of a dewar large enough to hold a 3-to-5-meter diameter telescope would exceed the balloon lift capacity.
- Citation
- "Lightweight Liquid Helium Dewar for High-Altitude Balloon Payloads," Mobility Engineering, October 1, 2013.