Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Balloon Launch and Flight Operation from the Research Vessel Hakuho Maru for Stratospheric Air Sampling over the Eastern Pacific Equator

Hideyuki Fuke Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Hideyuki Fuke in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Issei Iijima Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Issei Iijima in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Naoki Izutsu Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Naoki Izutsu in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Yukihiko Matsuzaka Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Yukihiko Matsuzaka in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Yoichi Kato Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Yoichi Kato in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Yuya Kakehashi Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Yuya Kakehashi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Yasuhiro Shoji Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Yasuhiro Shoji in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Tetsuya Yoshida Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Tetsuya Yoshida in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Hideyuki Honda Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

Search for other papers by Hideyuki Honda in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Shuji Aoki Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

Search for other papers by Shuji Aoki in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Yoichi Inai Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan

Search for other papers by Yoichi Inai in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Shinji Morimoto National Institute of Polar Research, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Japan

Search for other papers by Shinji Morimoto in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Jul 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-13-00248.1
Page(s):
1540–1548
Restricted access

We are aware of a technical issue preventing figures and tables from showing in some newly published articles in the full-text HTML view.
While we are resolving the problem, please use the online PDF version of these articles to view figures and tables.

Abstract

A balloon-borne cryogenic air sampling experiment was carried out over the ocean near the equator to elucidate the transport process of greenhouse gases in the stratosphere. Four air samplers were launched from the deck of the Research Vessel Hakuho Maru by four individual balloons. To realize a balloon launch from this vessel’s narrow deck, a new launch method was developed, based on the conventional static launch method. After the balloon flight, each of the four samplers parachuted down to the sea and was recovered by the vessel itself. Details of this successful shipboard balloon operation, including the new launch method, are described.

Current affiliation: Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, Japan.

Current affiliation: Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

Corresponding author address: Hideyuki Fuke, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5210, Japan. E-mail: fuke.hideyuki@jaxa.jp

Abstract

A balloon-borne cryogenic air sampling experiment was carried out over the ocean near the equator to elucidate the transport process of greenhouse gases in the stratosphere. Four air samplers were launched from the deck of the Research Vessel Hakuho Maru by four individual balloons. To realize a balloon launch from this vessel’s narrow deck, a new launch method was developed, based on the conventional static launch method. After the balloon flight, each of the four samplers parachuted down to the sea and was recovered by the vessel itself. Details of this successful shipboard balloon operation, including the new launch method, are described.

Current affiliation: Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Uji, Kyoto, Japan.

Current affiliation: Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan.

Corresponding author address: Hideyuki Fuke, Institute of Space and Astronautical Science, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, 3-1-1 Yoshinodai, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-5210, Japan. E-mail: fuke.hideyuki@jaxa.jp
Save
Cover Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

  • Akiyama, J., Nishimura J. , Namiki M. , Okabe Y. , Matsuzaka Y. , and Hirosawa H. , 1983: A new static-launch method for plastic balloons. Adv. Space Res., 3, 97–100, doi:10.1016/0273-1177(83)90084-4.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Aoki, S., and Coauthors, 2003: Carbon dioxide variations in the stratosphere over Japan, Scandinavia and Antarctica. Tellus, 55B, 178–186, doi:10.1034/j.1600-0889.2003.00059.x.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fuke, H., and Coauthors, 2010: A new balloon base in Japan. Adv. Space Res., 45, 490–497, doi:10.1016/j.asr.2009.10.003.

  • Honda, H., 1990: Balloon-borne cryogenic whole air sampling system. ISAS Research Note 433, 39 pp.

  • Honda, H., 2001: Research on balloon-borne whole air sampling system for studying stratospheric minor constituents (in Japanese). ISAS Research Rep. 115, 93 pp.

  • Honda, H., Aoki S. , Nakazawa T. , Morimoto S. , and Yajima N. , 1996: Cryogenic air sampling system for measurements of the concentrations of stratospheric trace gases and their isotopic ratios over Antarctica. J. Geomagn. Geoelectr., 48, 1145–1155, doi:10.5636/jgg.48.1145.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ishidoya, S., Sugawara S. , Morimoto S. , Aoki S. , and Nakazawa T. , 2008: Gravitational separation of major atmospheric components of nitrogen and oxygen in the stratosphere. Geophys. Res. Lett.,35, L03811, doi:10.1029/2007GL030456.

  • JAMSTEC, cited 2014: Research Vessel Hakuho Maru. [Available online at http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/equipment/ships/hakuhomaru.html.]

  • Morimoto, S., and Coauthors, 2009: A new compact cryogenic air sampler and its application in stratospheric greenhouse gas observation at Syowa Station, Antarctica. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 26, 2182–2191, doi:10.1175/2009JTECHA1283.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Nishimura, J., 2002: Scientific ballooning in the 20th century; A historical perspective. Adv. Space Res.,30, 1071–1085, doi:10.1016/S0273-1177(02)00517-3.

  • Nishimura, J., and Coauthors, 1993: The improvement of the static launch method in Japan. Adv. Space Res.,13, 63–66, doi:10.1016/0273-1177(93)90277-I.

  • Pfotzer, G., 1972: History of the use of balloons in scientific experiments. Space Sci. Rev.,13, 199–242, doi:10.1007/BF00175313.

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 952 337 128
PDF Downloads 483 74 6