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

difficult, but if the two elliptical shot bags are employed, they must be lifted simultaneously upward and outward away from the balloon. As the cell rises, each piece of gear must be cradled by its bearer allowing it to be lifted vertically when the balloon passes overhead. In many instances where the wind direction is not constant at the surface or changes as the balloon goes upward, and exact downwind positioning of launching personnel will be difficult. It is often necessary for these men to run to one side or forward or backward to get directly beneath the balloon. In cases of extreme wind speed, it has been found necessary to load the lower pieces of equipment on to a truck bed before release of balloon and launch it by driving underneath the balloon.

It is possible to estimate the space required to launch a train of given length if the wind speed is known. By using the computed figure for rate of rise, the length of time required to lift the entire train is found. The distance the bubble will travel during this time is proportionate to the wind speed. For example, if a train 250 feet long is launched with the rate of rise at 500 feet per minute, a bubble will move downwind at 660 feet if the wind is 15 miles per hour (22 feet per second), and the man at the end of the equipment train must cover 410 feet in 30 seconds carrying the gear with him.

The use of a restraining line attached to the load line above any heavy gear or delicate gear is recommended. A loop in this restraining line is attached to a winch mounted on a track a few hundred feet downwind of the lowest piece of gear, or is held by a well-gloved man. The safety weights are attached near the end of this line. The balloon tends to pull the gear in beneath itself in calm or light winds, and may pull sidewise if the train alignment is not perfectly downwind; the restraining line withstands this pull. Thus tethered, the balloon is forced to come overhead of the equipment bearers, and they are able to launch with less difficulty and danger of equipment damage. If the apparent ascent rate is too slow, the restraining line is cut between the safety weights and the other pieces of equipment. If the rate of rise appears to be high enough, the restraining line is severed below the safety weights and they rise, completing the launching.

## VII. TRACKING AND ALTITUDE DETERMINATION

Following release, it is often necessary to know the position of the balloon and its height as long as possible. Several methods of position and height determination have been found useful. Advantages and limitations of each system are given.