BALLOONS (SANITIZED)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-03642A001300030081-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 2, 2012
• Sequence Number: 81
• Publication Date: October 24, 1959
• Content Type: MISC

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030081-5
CONFIDENI1~L 'W
2l+.th October, 1959.
BALLOONS
thanks you for the most prompt response
(your 802 of 15th October) to their enquiries.
Unfortunately neither of the two types of reflective
balloon in it will exactly meet our requirement. We have outlined
this in an accompan i note and should be grateful if you could
discuss this with_________________ and place an order with them
for the balloons and targets men ioned: i.e. one 21+." diameter
spherical radar target balloon complete with lifter balloon,, and
one 4)i diameter spherical radar target balloon complete with
lifter balloon.
We hope that they will find this sufficient data on which
to start work., but if they have any other queries., we will be pleased
to answer these by telegram or they can be dealt with by
during his forthcoming visit.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030081-5
 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030081-5
? 0
The experiment is divided into two stages and the requirement for the first
is to fly a spherical radar reflector of 24" diameter at a constant height of
50,000 feet for a period of not less than ten hours. The rate of climb should
be of the order of 1,000 feet per minute, but must not exceed one hour for the
total ascent from ground leivel to 50,000 feet. The second stage of the experi-
ment will consist of a repetition of the first stage with a spherical reflector
of 1" diameter.
2. It would seem that neither stage of this experiment can be achieved
with a singly reflectorized MYLAR Balloon because 25X1
j If this is attempted with a valved balloon as described in
letter of 8th October, 1959, the leakage through the valve seems
likely to preclude the flight duration we require; and
b) If the spherical reflectorized balloon was sealed as a super-
pressure balloon it would have inadequate lift to give the rate of climb we
require.
3. For the above reasons it appears that it will be necessary to use
a lifter balloon. We, therefore, propose lifting a valved spherical metallised
MYLAR reflector with a non-coated iviYLAR su er- ressure balloon of the cylindri-
cal or pillow type described in a recent report. We would 25X1
accept the advice of the on the gauge of MYLAR to be used fo25X1
each type of balloon. It would be Possible to fill the reflector balloons with
gas, but we do not see any great advantage in this and imagine that it will be
probably simpler to inflate them with air.
4. The volumes of the lifter balloons should be calculated on the basis
of the use of hydrogen as the lifting gas.
5. We should point out, perha ps, that for the purpose of this experi-
ment, the radar reflector must be spherical and a multipule corner type of
reflector would not be acceptable.
COt'~RI D ENT 1AL
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030081-5
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030081-5
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/02 : CIA-RDP78-03642AO01300030081-5