The Roswell Report: Fact vs. Fiction in the New Mexico Desert

The effect of this cooling is evidenced in the lifting power of the gas. When a rapidly filled balloon is launched immediately after inflation, it has less lift than desired and may even be "heavy" rather than buoyant. $ 2 0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} $ cooling will make balloon $ 1 \% $ heavier. This may be $ 25 \% $ of free lift. In the inflation of the 70-foot balloons where more gas is used, and the cooling effect is more often harmful, a heating unit is added to the inflation equipment. The gas passes from the manifold through a coil which is centrally warmed by a blow torch and on into the inflation tube. The gas should arrive in balloon no more than $ 2 0^{\circ} \mathrm{C} $ cooler than the air.

## VI. BALLOON LAUNCHING

When the balloon inflation is complete, the inflation tube is removed from the balloon as gently as possible. There is apt to be constriction at the point where the bubble is formed by the launching arms or the shot bags. If the tube does stick at this point, great care must be given to freeing without ripping the balloon.

Should the balloon be torn in this or any other manner, it may be possible to patch the fabric and salvage the flight. The acetate-fiber scotch tape, used to attach the batten is used for patching. Transverse tapes are laid across the tear and the entire region is covered with a matting of tape.

When the inflation tube is freed and the restrained bubble is ready for launching, the lower portion of it is laid out down wind, as is all of the gear on the load line. The inflation is generally done in the lee of the hangar or "Y"-shaped wind screen (see Figures 28 and 29) with the bubble as close to the wall as possible. It is imperative that the wind direction be noted prior to launching and that the equipment be directly downwind from the head of the bubble. It is strongly recommended that a standard meteorological rubber balloon be inflated and tethered on a 150-foot line near the point of release to serve as a wind indicator. This balloon is much more effective than a standard wind vane.

All pieces of equipment and all on-lookers must be removed from the immediate vicinity to prevent accidental entanglement of the load line when the balloon begins to rise. Each piece of delicate gear to be carried aloft should be cradled by one man. As a signal given by the flight director (after checking to see everyone is ready and that the balloon will go in the desired direction), the bubble is released (see Figure 30). If "launching arms" are used, this is not