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DOE OSTI · 1415858

Tethered Balloon System (TBS) Instrument Handbook

Dexheimer, Darielle [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)]·Cheng, Zezhen [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)]·Creamean, J.·Sammon, Jason [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)]·Gaustad, Kristal [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)]·Mei, Fan [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)]·Longbottom, Casey [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)]
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Abstract

The Tethered Balloon System (TBS) is an unmanned aerial system composed of a helium-filled balloon, tether, winch, and sensors. Individual components of the system may change with each flight based on the desired measurements, atmospheric conditions, and flight strategy. The TBS operates within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s R-2204 Restricted Airspace, which encompasses a two-nautical-mile radius centered on Oliktok Point, Alaska that is segmented by altitude into R-2204 Low (0-1,499’ MSL or 0-457 m MSL) and R-2204 High (1,500-6,999’ MSL or 457-2133 m MSL). The TBS may operate outside of R-2204 if allowed to do so under a Certificate of Authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration.

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42 ENGINEERING47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATIONaerosolscondensation particle counter, Southern Great Plainsleaf wetness sensorNorth Slope of AlaskaOliktok Pointprinted optical particle spectrometerrelative humiditySAIL campaignsupercooled liquid water contentTethered Balloon SystemTRACER campaign

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Dexheimer, Darielle [Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)], Cheng, Zezhen [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)], Creamean, J., Sammon, Jason [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)], Gaustad, Kristal [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)], Mei, Fan [Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)], Longbottom, Casey [Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA (United States)]. 2026-02-01. Tethered Balloon System (TBS) Instrument Handbook. https://doi.org/10.2172/1415858

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