Method for recovery of stratospheric balloon at end of mission

摘要

The method for recovering a stratospheric balloon (1) at the end of its mission comprises previously equipping the balloon with a container (3) fixed on the balloon upper pole. The container encloses a compacted principal parachute (13) and a parachute extractor (14). To recover the balloon it is partially emptied, the parachute then extracted and the balloon then totally emptied. The balloon is maintained in the partially emptied state for a predetermined time until it recovers atmospheric pressure. The lower end of the cover is ballasted, the ballast (17) is held around the container until extraction of the parachute. Then the cover is spread out longitudinally freeing its ballasted end.