Longueuil, Quebec, September 9, 2013 – Following the latest weather briefing, the go-ahead has been given for a midnight EDT launch. The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the French space agency, the Centre national d'études spatiales (CNES), are ready to launch the first stratospheric balloon of their Stratos Balloon Program.
When launched, the balloon will ascend to between 25 and 32 km, will fly for about four to ten hours, and should land in a 500 kms radius area from the launch site. If the wind blows 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.
Media representatives are invited on-site to view the launch. Spokespeople from the CSA, CNES and Timmins Victor M. Power Airport will be available for interviews.
Instructions for media on-site (media need to enter via the airport entrance):
