Opening of the New Japanese Balloon Base at the Taiki Aerospace Research Field

Abstract

The Japanese balloon base was moved from the Sanriku Balloon Center (SBC) to the Taiki Aerospace Research Field (TARF). The SBC was closed in September 2007, and the new base at the TARF became operational in May 2008. In 2008, the first series of balloon flights at the TARF was carried out. By the success of these flights, we verified that the whole system of the new balloon base is well established. From FY 2009, regular balloon operations with science payloads started at the TARF. In May/June 2009, flight operations of three science experiments were carried out successfully. Five more science flights are planned at the TARF in August/September 2009.