The measurement of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) polarization and the spectral distortions produced on this radiation field by clusters of galaxies (Sunyaev-Zeldovich Effect, SZE) are the current frontiers in cosmology. In this paper, we report on two stratospheric balloon experiments aimed to study the research fields mentioned above. OLIMPO is a mm/submm waves telescope, with 2.6 m primary mirror coupled to four arrays of Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KID), centered at 150, 250, 350, and 460 GHz, to match the SZ spectrum, and operating at 0.3 K. The payload, flown in 2018 producing a very successful technology demonstration, includes a plug-in Differential Fourier-Transform Spectrometer. LSPE (Large Scale Polarization Explorer) is a combined balloon-borne and ground-based program dedicated to the measurement of the CMB polarization at large angular scales. LSPE/SWIPE (Short Wavelength Instrument for the Polarization Explorer), the balloon-borne instrument, includes a refractive telescope with a 50 cm optical aperture feeding three arrays of 330 multi-mode TES bolometers at 145, 210, e 240 GHz. The polarization of the incoming radiation will be modulated by a rotating Half Wave Plate (HWP), that is maintained levitating by an innovative magnetic suspension system. The detectors and the optical elements are cooled at cryogenic temperatures. The cryogenic system is designed to have a duration of 14 days with a flight performed during the polar night, to allow a coverage of a large fraction of the sky. In the paper, we describe the configuration of the two instruments, the modifications to be implemented on OLIMPO for a second scientific flight and the status of the different sub-system for LSPE/SWIPE.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Science and Innovation with Stratospheric Balloons: The Olimpo & Lspe/Swipe Projects


    Additional title:

    Aerotec. Missili Spaz.


    Contributors:
    Volpe, A. (author) / Albano, M. (author) / Ade, P. A. R. (author) / Baldini, A. M. (author) / Baù, A. (author) / Battistelli, E. (author) / de Bernardis, P. (author) / Biasotti, M. (author) / Boscaleri, A. (author) / Cei, F. (author)

    Published in:

    Aerotecnica Missili & Spazio ; 102 , 2 ; 139-147


    Publication date :

    2023-06-01


    Size :

    9 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Stratospheric Balloons and Space Research

    P. Bizouard / R. Musson-genon | NTIS | 1968


    Assessing the potential of stratospheric balloons for planetary science

    Kremic, Tibor / Hibbitts, Karl / Young, Eliot et al. | IEEE | 2013


    Advanced Drop Tests from Stratospheric Balloons

    Toyra, M. / American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2012


    Stratospheric electric field measurements with transmediterranean balloons

    de la Morena, B.A. / Alberca, L.F. / Curto, J.J. et al. | Elsevier | 1992