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Seeking feedback on a proposed temporary restricted area (TRA) for a stratospheric balloon drop-test over the Simpson Desert.
An Airspace Change Proposal has been submitted to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) for this project. The balloon flight and drop-test will last 7 hours on only one day between 20 April to 15 May 2023. The payload and balloon will be recovered from the terrain within the landing zone immediately after the drop-test has been completed.
A drop test of a space capsule from a stratospheric balloon is proposed. The balloon flight will be launched from Alice Springs airport, and will last up to 7 hours. When the balloon has floated to the area pre-selected for optimum safety, the capsule will be released from a height of 39 kilometres. This exercise will be carried out in an area over the Simpson Desert to ensure the safety of aviation users and population in and near the drop zone. A TRA has been requested for this area to best mitigate the risk. The balloon will then return to Earth separately.