What is the Aerobot Payload and why is it on Solo Spirit?
The Aerobot Science Payload consists of a portable weather station mounted on the side of the Solo Spirit capsule. The Payload measures: atmospheric temperature, pressure, and relative humidity; vertical wind velocity; capsule position, heading, and velocity; and upwelling radiance. Data are relayed hourly through an Inmarsat mini-M system to the Payload Operations Center at Washington University for processing and posting on the web. The Payload is on Solo Spirit to collect data about the southern hemisphere troposphere and to test concepts for planetary balloon missions.
