NASA Research Balloon Lands in Texas After Drifting Off Course
EDMONSON, TEXAS – A large research balloon launched by NASA landed in a Hale County, Texas, resident’s yard after drifting off course from its launch site in New Mexico, prompting a recovery effort by the space agency. Billy Walter, of Edmonson, Texas, discovered the balloon – equipped with a 30-foot parachute and telescopes – in his neighbor’s property last week.
The balloon is part of the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility‘s program, which sends unmanned, high-altitude balloons more than 20 miles into the atmosphere to conduct scientific experiments. According to Walter, the equipment was used to gather information about stars, galaxies, and black holes. the launch site is located in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, approximately 225 kilometers from where the balloon landed.
Hale County Sheriff david Cochran confirmed that NASA officials contacted his office last week to report the missing equipment. Walter stated he spoke with representatives from the balloon facility who explained the balloon had launched the day prior.
“It’s crazy, because when you’re on the ground and you see something in the air, you don’t realize how big it is,” Walter said.”It was probably a 30-foot parachute. It was huge.”
NASA is currently affected by a government shutdown and did not respond to requests for comment. Investigators from the balloon facility recovered the equipment with a truck and trailer. Walter and his family were allowed to photograph and video record the recovery process.
“It’s a little surreal that it happened to us and that I was a part of it,” Walter said. “It has been a very interesting experience.”
