Record making Aussie balloon finally returns home After heading north the petulant pico party-type balloon PS-46, carrying an Amateur Radio payload, floated over the Indian Ocean near Cocos Keeling Island, or within 660km of Jakarta Indonesia. There the solar powered high altitude balloon was tracked taking a heart-shaped course, over several days, before heading to West Australia coming ashore on Tuesday near Exmouth. Under a jetstream influence it then floated over Australia’s interior north of Alice Springs to its starting point of longitude of 144.894 degree East, at about 1000 hours local (0000 UTC) on Thursday July 2, albeit a week later than earlier thought, and a Queensland exit. PS-46 launched by Andy VK3YT on May 23, has had a marvellous flight. He thanked all who had followed the balloon series, and particularly the tracker network using data sent by the payload 25mW transmitter on HF. The PS-46 balloon had circumnavigated the southern hemisphere after 12 days on Thursday June 4, and with its latest cross over, is set to begin a third trip around the globe. The flight had been twice over the Pacific Ocean to South America, then the Atlantic Ocean to Africa, and across the Indian Ocean back to Australia. The more northerly route taken and the absence of storms at this time of the year are being attributed to its longevity. Jim Linton VK3PC Follow Southgate News on Twitter Like us on Facebook
What is the URL to see the flight path? I've seen it posted somewhere before but now I can't find it. Thanks.
Quite something,a mylar party balloon making this much mileage and still surviving is truly amazing!! Congratulations Andy! BRAVO OM !!!! Don't quit now,"keep on pushin' "..... Respectfully, Gregory L. Mitchell-W2MYA , West Caldwell,New Jersey,USA
