System for Orienting Balloon Payloads in Space

Abstract
An inexpensive system for orienting balloon payloads to allow a detector to view a fixed position on the celestial sphere is described. The basic system is a sun seeker with programmed motion to correct for earth rotation and wind drift, and to thereby provide relatively accurate orientation toward any desired direction on the celestial sphere. Two successful balloon flights have been flown utilizing this oriented platform, which can be used, with minor modifications, for a large number of applications.

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