World Meteorological Day was established in 1951 to commemorate the World Meteorological Organization creation on 23th March 1950. This organization announces a slogan for World Meteorological Day every year, and this day is celebrated in all member countries.
U.S. Weather Bureau officially began their free-rising balloon program in 1906. Weather balloon ca. between 1909 and 1920
The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), an organization of the United Nations, was created on 23th March 1950 to replace the International Meteorological Organization. It began operations in 1951 to coordinate member nation in the fields of meteorology, operational hydrology, and Earth sciences for the security of their population. The first World Meteorological Day was held on 23th March 1961.
At 1:45 pm on 1 December 1783, professor Jacques Charles and the Robert brothers (Les Frères Robert) launched a new, manned hydrogen balloon from the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, amid vast crowds and excitement.
The balloon was held on ropes and led to its final launch place by four of the leading noblemen in France, the Marechal de Richelieu, Marshal de Biron, the Bailli de Suffren, and the Duke of Chaulnes. Jacques Charles was accompanied by Nicolas-Louis Robert as co-pilot of the 380-cubic-metre, hydrogen-filled balloon. The envelope was fitted with a hydrogen release valve, and was covered with a net from which the basket was suspended. Sand ballast was used to control altitude. They ascended to a height of about 1,800 feet (550 m) and landed at sunset in Nesles-la-Vallée after a flight of 125 minutes, covering 36 km. The chasers on horseback, who were led by the Duc de Chartres, held down the craft while both Charles and Robert alighted.
Charles then decided to ascend again, but alone this time because the balloon had lost some of its hydrogen. This time he ascended rapidly to an altitude of about 3,000 metres, where he saw the sun again. He began suffering from aching pain in his ears so he ‘valved’ to release gas, and descended to land gently about 3 km away at Tour du Lay. Unlike the Robert brothers, Charles never flew again, although a balloon using hydrogen for its lift came to be called a Charlière in his honour.
Charles and Robert carried a barometer and a thermometer to measure the pressure and the temperature of the air, making this not only the first manned hydrogen balloon flight, but also the first balloon flight to provide meteorological measurements of the atmosphere above the Earth’s surface.
It is reported that 400,000 spectators witnessed the launch, and that hundreds had paid one crown each to help finance the construction and receive access to a “special enclosure” for a “close-up view” of the take-off. Among the “special enclosure” crowd was Benjamin Franklin, the diplomatic representative of the United States of America. Also present was Joseph Montgolfier, whom Charles honoured by asking him to release the small, bright green, pilot balloon to assess the wind and weather conditions.
At 22nd of October 1960, the first “real” hot air balloon was tested in the USA🇺🇸 by Ed Yost! With support of the U.S. Navy this project led to what we are doing today… ballooning!
Because of these guys we are able today to explore, live our dream of flying and share our passion with thousands of passengers every day around the world.
James Gordon Bennett Jr. (May 10, 1841 – May 14, 1918) was publisher of the New York Herald, founded by his father, James Gordon Bennett Sr., who emigrated from Scotland. He was generally known as Gordon Bennett to distinguish him from his father. Among his many sports-related accomplishments he organized both the first polo match and the first tennis match in the United States, and he personally won the first trans-oceanic yacht race. He sponsored explorers including Henry Morton Stanley’s trip to Africa to find David Livingstone, and the ill-fated USS Jeannette attempt on the North Pole. Continue reading →
On 12 April 1961, the Vostok 3KA-3 (Vostok 1) spacecraft with Gagarin aboard was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome. Gagarin thus became both the first human to travel into space, and the first to orbit the Earth. His call sign was Kedr (Russian: Кедр, Siberian pine or Cedar).
Picture: Time Covers – The 60S, Boris Chaliapin, from the Life.com collection
The radio communication between the launch control room and Gagarin included the following dialogue at the moment of rocket launch: Continue reading →
Entry Fee: Before 1 July, 200€, after 1 July, 300€. Includes gas, map, CIA loggers, accomodation (2 nights), breakfast and lunch for 4 persons, opening and closing ceremony.
Contact: Anton Bystrov, Sec. Gen. of Belarusian Fed. of Air Sports, secretary@bfas.by
13-16 September 1st Central European and 2nd Szeged Balloon Cup, Sporting event, Szeged, Hungary
ED: Zoltan Palhegyi, CIA loggers
Invitation: All FAI members. Entry until 10 June, 2017. Entry Fee: Before 10 May, 100€, after 10 May, 200€. Includes gas, map, breakfast and lunch for 4 persons, free camping at airport.
The Goodyear Farm Tires British National Hot Air Balloon Championships 2017
30th Brazilian National Championship
21-27 August, 2017
