OLHZN-22 was the twenty-second high-altitude weather balloon flight for Overlook Horizon High Altitude Balloons.  This flight occurred on April 8, 2024, and coincided with the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse.  This flight launched from Canandaigua, NY, and was the second flight attempt during a solar eclipse, as well as the third flight attempt for our new live video transmission system to obtain and view live video from an on-board camera while the balloon and payload are in-flight.  Our first solar eclipse flight occurred during our flight of OLHZN-9.  Our debut of the new live video transmission system occurred during our flight OLHZN-18, and alternative antenna testing was performed on OLHZN-19.  Both flights were very encouraging, but trying to narrow down the ideal antenna types is very tricky and needs full-flight experimentation.  The live video system is still very experimental.  We were hoping to have a little more consistency with our video feed and eliminate at least some of the interruptions experienced during previous flights. However, it is very difficult to eliminate all interruptions completely, and although we were able to capture video up to 30,000 FT (10 KM) in altitude, beyond this we lost video as the payload ventured too far downwind.  This flight was initially planned to fly in 2020, but it was put on hold along with all our flights due to the coronavirus COVID-19 worldwide pandemic.  It’s been a long wait, but our weather balloons are flying again in 2024!

New Technology Added:

  • Circularly Polarized (RHCP) On Board 2.4 GHz TX Antenna
  • Circularly Polarized (RHCP) 2.4 GHz Super Cannon Ground Antenna

Live Broadcast

Important Info

This flight will add new technology to improve our live in-flight video feed:

  • Circularly Polarized (RHCP) On Board 2.4 GHz TX Antenna
  • Circularly Polarized (RHCP) 2.4 GHz Super Cannon Ground Antenna

The maximum altitude achieved for this flight was 102,836 FT. (31,344 m) MSL which occurred 92 minutes into the flight at 4:15:09pm EDT (20:15:09 UTC).

This payload landed 69.51 mi. (111.86 km) downrange from the launch site. The final landing occurred 2 hours, 3 minutes & 28 seconds after launch at 42.675564, -75.950813 at an altitude of 1,769 FT. (539 m)

The minimum recorded temperature was -64 °F (-53 °C) which occurred at an altitude of 39,470 FT. (12,030 m)

The maximum recorded temperature was 60 °F (15 °C) which occurred at an altitude of 958 FT. (292 m)

The maximum recorded horizontal ground speed was 95 mph (152 km/h) which occurred at an altitude of 36,673 FT. (11,178 m)

The fastest vertical free-fall speed achieved after balloon burst was recorded at 174 mph (280 km/h). This measurement occurred at an altitude of 101,055 FT. (30,802 m) shortly after the balloon burst event at 102,836 FT. (31,344 m) MSL

Flight Photos

OLHZN-22 Max Altitude
OLHZN-22 Solar Eclipse Totality from a Weather Balloon on April 8, 2024
OLHZN-22 Solar Eclipse Totality from a Weather Balloon on April 8, 2024

Flight Data Graphs

OLHZN-22 SkewT

Flight Path

This map shows the actual flight (red) along with the final flight path prediction (blue).  The path of the total solar eclipse is also depicted.

Technical Specifications

  • Launch Time: April 8, 2024 at 2:42:57pm EDT (18:42:57 UTC)

  • Launch Location: Canandaigua, NY

  • Ascent Rate: 1,105fpm (5.61 m/s)

  • Burst Altitude: 102,836 FT. (31,344 m) MSL

  • Time to Burst: 92 minutes

  • Descent Time: 31 minutes

  • Descent Rate: 1,559fpm (7.92 m/s)

  • Landing Location: 42.675564, -75.950813 at 1,769 FT. (539 m)

  • Downrange Landing Distance: 69.51 mi. (111.86 km)

  • Landing Time: April 8, 2024 at 4:46:25pm EDT (20:46:25 UTC)

  • Total Flight Time: 2 hours, 3 minutes & 28 seconds

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Planned Mission Timeline

Hr/Min/Sec Event
-01:30:00 Tracking systems placed on ground power
-01:20:00 Balloon inflation preparation begins
-00:55:00 Balloon inflation begins
-00:40:00 Balloon inflation complete & anchored
-00:30:00 Backup tracking systems activated
-00:21:00 Primary tracking systems moved to battery power
-00:17:00 FAA notifications made to relevant agencies
-00:15:00 Camera systems activated
-00:12:00 Transmitter verifications completed
-00:10:00 Payload closed & secured
-00:08:00 Payload attached to balloon
-00:07:00 Ground tracking systems initiated
-00:05:00 Safety tether released
-00:03:00 Balloon raised to release height
-00:00:00 LIFTOFF
+00:02:00 Partial solar eclipse begins
+00:05:00 Radio reception verification
+01:16:00 Solar eclipse totality begins
+01:19:30 Solar eclipse totality ends
+01:50:00 Estimated balloon burst & descent begins
+02:28:30 Solar eclipse ends
+02:36:00 Estimated payload landing
+02:40:00 Chase teams depart for recovery
+03:45:00 Chase teams arrive on site to begin the recovery hunt