Wallops Balloon Program Participates in National Balloon Classic Event

Sam Belt, Balloon Program Office Co-op student from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, N.M. talks to visitors to NASA's balloon exhibit.

The Balloon Program Office set up an outreach display at the National Balloon Museum in Indianola, Iowa, August 1 - 4, during the annual "National Balloon Classic 2003" week-long event. The display included information on the balloon program mission and activities, ULDB development, research and development as well as planetary ballooning and outreach activities. As a part of the set up two model balloons were inflated, one is a pumpkin and the other is a zero pressure. In addition, a meteorological balloon also was inflated for comparison. "Pushing the envelope" video was running on a continuous basis during the display.

As a result of the media coverage (news paper, radio station and event intercom), there was a continuous flow of visitors during the four-day event. Visitors were very pleased to see NASA doing this kind of outreach. There were many inquisitive minds from very young as well as very old individuals. Attendance was estimated to be 100,000.