Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 83: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION can turn at once if there is any change in wind direction. The balloon is partially inflated and the bubble of helium allowed to draw the length of polythene material gradually upwards, under con- stant control of the launching crew. As the balloon peels itself off the ground the wind carries it, enabling all the items of equipment carried to become airborne one after the other. The Skyhook is non- dilatable—that is, it does not _ expand with the gas inside. When the helium has com- pletely filled the rising balloon, any excess is bled off through a hole in the bottom. A normal load carries a release timer which cuts free the load after a pre-determined time, attached to which is the open parachute with the radar reflecting foil secured to the ' parachuteharness. Thencomes the scientific load, specially designed for the particular operation on hand, and dang- ling below this the radiosonde and a radio beacon. G2 The balloon usually ascends at a rate of 800 to 1,000 feet per minute and takes about two hours to reach twenty miles. Recovery of the instruments is the prime consideration, and usually a small aeroplane accompanies the balloon, keeping it in sight in spite of © its greatly superior height, and, on some occasions, even being able to land at the point where the parachuted instruments have come down. Normal height-measuring telescopes, both fixed and mobile, are used to follow it. In addition, radio beacons are attached to the balloon to broadcast a radio signal for cross-checking purposes. One of the reasons for these elaborate precautions against losing the balloon, quite apart from the scientific purpose of instrument recovery, is to have concrete evidence to refute a new “‘Flying Saucer” story. Very. many Skyhooks are not of what is considered “normal” balloon shape. They. come in shapes and sizes to conmiclsooks.conn