National Aeronautics and Space Administration Logo
Follow this link to skip to the main content NASA Banner
Solar System Exploration
Missions
SSE Home  >  Missions  >  By Target  >  Comets  >  Future  >  BRRISON 
BRRISON
Missions to Comets
  By Target   By Name   By Decade 
Beyond Our Solar System Our Solar System Sun Mercury Venus Moon Earth Mars Dwarf Planets Dwarf Planets Dwarf Planets Asteroids Comets Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Kuiper Belt
 
 Past 
 Present 
 Future 
 Concepts 
BRRISON
BRRISON Mission to Comets

Goals: BRRISON - or Balloon Rapid Response for ISON - is a stratospheric science balloon designed to capture unique images and data from comet ISON as it passes through the inner solar system. The balloon will carry a telescope and science instruments 37 km (23 miles) above the Earth's surface to scan the passing comet for clues to the origins of our solar system. The one day flight also will be a test to demonstrate the capability of science balloons to contribute to planetary science from high altitude.

Accomplishments: This mission is in development.
Key Dates
Sep 2013:  Launch
Status: In Development
Fast Facts
BRRISON Facts BRRISON is the first planetary balloon mission in 50 years. The last was 1963's Stratoscope II balloon to observe planets, stars and galaxies.

The balloon and payload will be taller than the Washington Monument (204.5 meters or 671 feet). The monument is 169.3 meters (555.4 feet tall).

The mission will last about one day and carry up to 8,000 pounds of science equipment.

The balloon will fly at an altitude of 33,528 to 42,672 meters (110,000 to 140,000 feet).
People Spotlight
Charles Charles "Karl" Hibbitts
"Don't worry about your exact path, but keep in mind where you want to end up." Read More...
Meet More Space Explorers Meet More Space Explorers
Links
Solar System Bodies: Comets
BRRISON: First Planetary Balloon Mission in 50 Years (2.92 MB, PDF)
NASA Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
Awards and Recognition   Solar System Exploration Roadmap   Contact Us   Site Map   Print This Page
NASA Official: Kristen Erickson
Advisory: Dr. James Green, Director of Planetary Science
Outreach Manager: Alice Wessen
Curator/Editor: Phil Davis
Science Writers: Samantha Harvey & Autumn Burdick
Producer: Greg Baerg
Webmaster: David Martin
> NASA Science Mission Directorate
> Budgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports
> Equal Employment Opportunity Data
   Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act
> Information-Dissemination Policies and Inventories
> Freedom of Information Act
> Privacy Policy & Important Notices
> Inspector General Hotline
> Office of the Inspector General
> NASA Communications Policy
> USA.gov
> ExpectMore.gov
> NASA Advisory Council
> Open Government at NASA
Last Updated: 26 Apr 2013