COSI flight success! COSI was launched on a Super-Pressure balloon on 17 May 2016 from Wanaka, New Zealand (see the launch video below).  After being at float for over 46 days with a complete circumnavigation, the flight was terminated over Peru and the instrument and balloon were recovered. Read about the flight in Science Magazine.

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2016-07-07 16.48.58
The gondola landed in the Peruvian desert north of Arequipa on July 2nd after 46 days at float. The whole instrument was recovered and has been transferred back to Berkeley where we will prepare for future flights.

Campaign Timeline

  • 15 Feb 2016 – COSI Team arrives in Wanaka, NZ
  • 30 Mar 2016 – COSI/CSBF compatibility test passed
  • 01 Apr 2016 – Flight readiness declared
  • 08 Apr 2016 – Launch attempt #1: Canceled after bringing COSI to the launch pad, but before the balloon box was brought outside
  • 18 April 2016 – Launch attempt #2: Canceled due to weather
  • 27 April 2016 – Launch attempt #3: Canceled due to weather
  • 07 May 2016 – Launch attempt #4: Canceled due to weather
  • 17 May 2016 – Launch attempt #5: SUCCESS!
  • 2 July 2016 – COSI flight terminated over Peru
  • 14 July 2016 – COSI instrument recovered