May 4 1974
From The Space Library
4-5 May: The Lower Atmosphere Composition and Temperature Experiment (LACATE) balloon was launched at 12:00 midnight EDT by a joint Government-industry team from White Sands Missile Range in a Langley Research Center project. An onboard 10-band infrared radiometer, being tested for use on the planned Nimbus-G satellite, measured vertical profiles of radiance emitted by the earth's atmospheric limb. The profiles would provide basic data on temperature, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, water vapor, nitric acid, nitrous oxide, methane, and particles in the upper atmosphere and lower stratosphere, where high-flying jet air-craft operated. The 183-m-long, 137-m-wide, helium-filled balloon-the largest ever launched from WSMR-reached its maximum stable altitude of 50 km three hours after launch. Measurements were made before, during, and after sunrise so that both day and night atmospheric effects could be studied. At flight termination the gondola and its parachute were released from the balloon and returned to the earth. (Langley Re-searcher, 26 April 74, 1 ; LaRC PIO, interview, 20 Jan 75)
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