Balloons have been used for decades to conduct scientific studies. While the basics of ballooning have not changed, balloon capabilities have increased and their dependability has improved greatly.
Scientific Balloons...
1. can be launched from locations worldwide to suport scientific needs.
2. can be readied for flight in as little as six months.
3. offer a low-cost method of conducting science investigations.
4. provide a stable platform for longer flight durations.
Scientists use scientific data collected during balloon flights to help answer important questions about the universe, atmosphere, the Sun and the space environment. Questions such as "How did the universe, galaxies, stars, and planets form and evolve?" and "Are there Earth-like planets beyond our solar system?" are being answered by NASA with the help of experiments flown on scientific ballons.