How do you get a helium filled balloon that is approximately 15 feet in diameter out of a storage warehouse and into a snow field about ½ mile away? The answer in a nutshell, is very slowly and carefully. My task along with six other people was to help Patrick Boylan launch his balloon. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and University of Colorado are doing balloon profiling as part of their research with OASIS. Three sampling lines are attached at different heights along the 500 foot height of the balloon. They will be able to obtain a vertical profile of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC), and peroxyacyl nitrates (PAN). For the non-chemistry members of the audience, this vertical data will be used in conjunction with the surface data to give scientists a better understanding of the processes occurring in the Arctic.
Betsy Wilkening in front of hangar with balloon.
Our first step in retrieving the balloon was to cover as much of the inflated balloon as possible to protect it as we pulled it out of the warehouse. We draped a large tarp over the balloon and slowly brought it through the opening in the building. Once we had it out of the warehouse, Patrick tethered it to a sled and inflated it with a little more helium. Kim Fackler, was given the job of driving the snowmobile attached to the sled through the BASC complex. The volunteer balloon committee walked alongside the balloon while holding tightly to the lines. We kept the balloon well below power lines and overhanging pipes as we led it the snow field.
Balloon safely out of the hangar while Kim Fackler looks on.
After arriving at the snow field we held onto the balloon as Patrick attached it to a winch. At one point, Jin Liao (a petite woman), was bouncing up and down with the balloon. If it were not for weight lifter extraordinaire Steve Sjostedt, she might have become the next episode on Mythbusters. After attaching the sampling lines, Patrick used the winch to extend the balloon on the 500 meter lines.
Betsy Wilkening near balloon after assisting in launch.
At the end of the day we helped him bring the balloon down. The winch brought it closer to us. We then pulled it close to the ground as he refilled the helium. The balloon was left tethered at a lower altitude for the evening.
It was fun helping. It's a nice sight to see the balloon. There had been many previous setbacks. Let's hope for some successful days ahead!
Patrick Boylan happy after balloon safely deployed