High-altitude scientific balloons, as mature near-space vehicles, offer excellent platforms for diverse scientific research. This paper focuses on the scientific balloon flights conducted under the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Strategic Pioneer Program on the “Near-Space Scientific Experiment System” in recent years. It delves into the development of high-altitude scientific balloon platforms, their scientific achievements, and engineering applications.The development of scientific balloon platforms is trending toward heavier payloads and higher altitude ceilings. In near-space research, these balloons carry scientific payloads to conduct experiments such as in situ probing of the near-space atmosphere, studying the coupling between near-space and the upper atmosphere, analyzing material and energy transport characteristics between Earth and planetary spaces, and investigating microbial tolerance to extreme near-space environments.In terms of engineering applications, the paper introduces typical uses like air-launching technologies, solar cell calibration, and remote sensing observations. Over recent years, the Chinese Academy of Sciences has established a more comprehensive high-altitude scientific balloon system, providing robust support for future and complex high-demand scientific experiments.During the Honghu Special Project, the following achievements were made:(1) Various types of scientific balloons were developed, and the technology was advanced. This included optimizing the configuration design of heavy-load scientific balloons and designing and manufacturing large balloons with a capacity of one million cubic meters. Different balloon films were tested and evaluated, and early failure issues caused by extremely low temperatures, as well as release technologies and procedures, were resolved.(2) A semi-permanent launching base was established on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and support was provided to other launching sites. Ground support equipment was constructed, enabling safe balloon launches at stations. Procedures and methods for safely launching heavy and large balloons were refined, and vertical and semi-dynamic launch methods were designed and validated.(3) Payload structures and instruments for collecting scientific data were developed. The arc-second azimuth control system for the gondola and the payload support instruments were developed, tested, and certified.Chinese Academy of Sciences has comprehensively inherited and advanced domestic scientific balloon technologies, further solidifying its leading position in this field. The all-round development and enhancement of launching and recovery technologies, equipment, and teams have laid the groundwork for promoting the construction of near-space scientific facilities. A series of upgrades have been achieved for light, medium, and heavy load launching and recovery equipment and software; dynamic, semi-dynamic, and vertical launching methods, as well as efficient recovery methods, have been established. The capability to conduct scientific balloon experiments simultaneously at multiple locations and latitudes, as well as the ability to launch multiple scientific balloons consecutively, has been achieved. Three scientific balloons can be rapidly launched within 72 minutes. Launching sites have been established in places like Chaidan, Qinghai, and the Kunlun Grand Canyon, accumulating experience in site selection for balloon launching and landing fields, and providing a solid foundation for the development of scientific balloon flights in various future scenarios.Over the years, the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ scientific balloon system has made significant progress in technology, applications, and infrastructure. In the future, scientific balloon systems will continue to evolve toward longer flight durations, heavier payloads, higher flight altitudes, more precise payload pointing, and controllable flight directions. It is that expected scientific balloons will conduct more scientific experiments in special regions like the Antarctic and engage in international cooperation on cutting-edge scientific issues such as cosmic ray observation and dark matter search. This will further leverage the advantages of scientific balloons as near-space scientific platforms and enhance China’s international contributions in near-space science.

Nahraum; wissenschaftlicher Höhenballon; 'Baron'-Programm; wissenschaftliche Forschung; ingenieurwissenschaftliche Experimente