We met at the launch site in Townshend, VT, and quickly went through 48-bulletpoint checklist for balloon launch.

HAB2 launch crew

We released the balloon, and it started drifting south-east, as predicted, rising at the speed of 15 ft/s. In one hour, it traveled 40 miles south-east, and it made me really nervous: if the balloon were to continue drifting in this direction, it would land right at Boston international airport! But, just as predicted, balloon made a U-turn and flew west for another hour.

HAB2 flight path

At 105,414 ft altitude, balloon burst. It took another hour for balloon to descend to the ground.

Luckily enough, it landed in a woodland, and we got a landing position from GPS/APRS. After an easy walk, we found payload hanging on a tree at eye level.

HAB2 Landing

Mission accomplished !

HAB2 Recovered payload