BALLOONS, LOAD CARRYING VEHICLES

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05416095
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2022
• Document Release Date: February 15, 2017
• Case Number: F-2008-00941
• Publication Date: December 9, 1953

Approved for Release: 2016/10/24 C054160951 A LI
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9 December 1953
MEMORANDUM FOR: DIRECTOR, CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
VIA DD/P
SUBJECT Balloons, Load Carrying Vehicles
1. During the past few years joint sponsored projects have
extended the scope of balloon technology. Many developments including
launching techniques, new balloon designs and unified gondolas con-
taining many adaptations and inventions of sensing elements, auto-
matic releases, cameras and the like as well as reliable radio com-
munication and command systems have evolved.
2, Balloons may be provided or employed for a wide variety
of purposes. The employment may range from small propaganda or
leaflet carriers to balloons in excess of 150 ft. in diameter capable
of transporting loads exceeding 300 lbs. to altitudes of more than
100,000 feet. The small, uninstrumented propaganda carriers used
range in size from 20 cu, ft. to 200 cu. ft. and are capable of carrying
from .2 lbs. to 10 lbs. for distances up to 400 miles. Instrumented
propaganda balloons may be used that are capable of carrying 110
lbs. for a distance of 1500 miles.
3. Several sizes of personnel balloons are available for
carrying one or two people plus equipment or gross loads up to 900
lbs. �These balloons have been used successfully for infiltrations, and
test flights have covered 1200 miles in 21 hours. With proper
meteorological information, it is possible to program a course by
changing altitude, High altitude balloons have satisfactorily photo-
graphed the earth's surface from 90,000 feet.
4. Balloons as load carrying vehicles are the simplest and
most economical vehicles available for carrying heavy loads on flights
of long duration,
(b)(3)
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5, It now appears practical to use balloons for overflights
when authorized, Such balloons equipped with automatic cameras
could readily be flown at 70,000 to 100,000 feet with virtually no
possibility of detection,
Distribution:
Addressee - Orig, & 1
DD/P - 1
TSS/OC - 1
TSS/TSL - 1
TSS Registry - 1
TSS/CC:IdefA K9 December 1953)
LUIS deFLOREZ
Research Chairman
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