The Ozone Sampler was a long-term campaign that went on forseveral years starting in late 1980s untli 2002. All together 12 stratospheric balloons were launched with the objective to study the chemical processes responsible for the ozone depletion in the northern polar stratosphere, by means of the isotropic composition as a fingerprint. The campaign was carried out under the provisions laid down in the Esrange/Andöya Special Project agreement. Germany was the main user.

The balloon was to be launched to reach 9,5 Hpa and follow the listed measuring phase:

• 90 minutes at 9,5 Hpa (30 Km) ceiling to collect samples
• Descent at 1,5 m/s average down to ~ 15 Hpa (27 Km).
• Float at 15 Hpa for minimum 30 minutes.
• Descent at 1,5 m/s average down to ~ 23 Hpa (24 Km).
• Float at 23 Hpa for minimum 30 minutes followed by cut down.

The two last flights

2001-12-03
The gondola was successfully launched today at 09:21 UTC and the flight took around 3,5 hours, just as required. The balloon was 35.000 m³.

2002-11-28
The release of the  balloon took place at 15:10 UTC. The float altitude was not higher than 27,5 km, due to the wind situtation in the stratosphere, and the cutdown command was given after a flight time of 3 hours and 38 minutes. The balloon had the size of 150 000 m^3.

Contact persons:
Pierre Faucon, Campaign Manager, CNES,
Dr. P. Lämmerzahl, MPI-K, Heidelberg.
Mr P. Turner, Campaign management, DLR