Longueuil, Quebec, August 29, 2013 – In early September, the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the French space agency, the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), will launch from Timmins Ontario the first two stratospheric balloons of their Stratos Balloon Program.
Weather conditions will be monitored closely every day to determine when the launches can take place. Once the go-ahead is given, preparation for the launch will start. When released, the balloon will fly for about four to ten hours and will typically land in a 500 km radius area from the launch site. If the winds blow east, it could land close to Rouyn-Noranda, Amos or Val d'Or. If it blows west, it could land close to Wawa, Kapuskasing, Chapleau or Sudbury. A recovery team will be sent to the landing site to pick up the balloon envelope and the flight chain.
Spokespeople from the CSA, CNES and Timmins Victor M. Power Airport will be available for interviews on launch day.
Instructions for media on-site (media need to enter via the airport entrance):
Canadian Space Agency
Media Relations Office
Telephone: 450-926-4370
E-mail: media@asc-csa.gc.ca
Website: www.asc-csa.gc.ca