CNES takes off from the Antarctic

No, this is not a new launch pad for spacecraft located near the South pole! However, from 4 September, the French space agency will release around twenty stratospheric balloons from the U.S. McMurdo research base (often used for this type of launch, because it enjoys favourable winds). The measurements made by the onboard instruments will allow for example, the famous hole in the ozone layer around the Antarctic to be studied in greater detail, but also ensure the smooth operation of the IASI interferometer (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer) present on the European meteorological satellite MetOP-A.

CNES article

The IASI instrument

Published 2 September 2010

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