Lightweight Liquid Helium Dewar for High-Altitude Balloon Payloads

TBMG-17455

10/01/2013

Abstract
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.

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Citation
"Lightweight Liquid Helium Dewar for High-Altitude Balloon Payloads," Mobility Engineering, October 1, 2013.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Oct 1, 2013
Product Code
TBMG-17455
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English