NASA’s Balloon Program is past the halfway point for the fall campaign in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Four missions have successfully launched from the launch site, with two more lined up in the coming weeks. Hurricane Polo is affecting the upper-level winds near the launch site and the team is evaluating launch opportunities for the Mullenax test flight and the reflight of CORSAIR/WASP.
The CORSAIR/WASP team is evaluating how the mission can be refurbished and relaunched during the current campaign after an aborted attempt on Sept. 19. The abort was initiated after the gondola impacted the ground shortly after liftoff. Operators terminated the flight after allowing it to ascend high enough for parachute deployment. There were no injuries or damage to facility property. An abort is considered an accepted risk of the program and will be investigated as a technical anomaly.
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