Stratospheric balloons as a complement to the next generation of astronomy missions

Paper number

IAC-20,A7,3,8,x61185

Author

Mr. Philipp Maier, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Mr. Andreas Pahler, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Ms. Sarah Bougueroua, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Ms. Mahsa Taheran, Germany, Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart

Coauthor

Dr. Jose-Luis Ortiz, Spain, Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia

Coauthor

Dr. Rene Duffard, Spain, Instituto de Astrofisica de Andalucia

Coauthor

Mr. Christian Lockowandt, Sweden, Swedish Space Corporation

Year

2020

Abstract

Observations that require large physical instrument dimensions and/or a considerable amount of cryogens, as it is for example the case for high spatial resolution far infrared astronomy, currently still face technological limits for their execution from space. The high cost and finality of space missions furthermore call for a very low risk approach and entail long development times.
For certain spectral regions, prominently including the mid-to far-infrared as well as parts of the ultraviolet, stratospheric balloons offer a flexible and affordable complement to space telescopes, with short development times and comparably good observing conditions. Yet, the entry burden to use balloon-borne telescopes is high, with research groups typically having to shoulder part of the infrastructure development as well. Aiming to ease access to balloon-based observations, we present the efforts towards a community-accessible balloon-based observatory, the European Stratospheric Balloon Observatory (ESBO). ESBO aims at complementing space-based and airborne capabilities over the next 10-15 years and at adding to the current landscape of scientific ballooning activities by providing a service-centered infrastructure for broader astronomical use, performing regular flights and offering an operations concept that provides researchers with a similar proposal-based access to observation time as practiced on ground-based observatories.
We present details on the activities planned towards the goal of ESBO, the current status of the STUDIO (Stratospheric UV Demonstrator of an Imaging Observatory) prototype platform and mission, as well as selected technology developments with extensibility potential to space missions undertaken for STUDIO.

Abstract document

IAC-20,A7,3,8,x61185.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-20,A7,3,8,x61185.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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