Aircraft of IN AIR can be operated all around the world.
Due to a complex logistics, stratospheric balloons can only be operated from specific stations in the world:
CNES balloons are launched with a specific technique, using an auxillary balloon which preclude gondola damages in case of strong ground winds. Moreover, such a methodology allows more opportunities for launch with stringent ground conditions. CNES is the only operator in the world to use such a method.
To reduce the environmental footprint of missions, all elements of the flight chain are recovered following the flight. The payloads are retruned to their owner for reuse.
L’Esrange Space Center (SSC Space) : Build in the 60s, this launch center is operated by the Swedish Space Cooporation (SSC). The launch base is located 200 km North of the Arctic polar circle (68°N, 21°E) in the middle of a sparsely populated area in the Swedish Lapland, 45 km away from the city of Kiruna. The site is equipped for rocket and stratospheric balloon launches. It benefits from a low-density airspace. IN AIR, through CNES, proposes flight opportunities from Esrange. In 2024, the flight TRANSAT has been operated from Esrange by CNES for a 3 days, 17 hours flight. The 800 000 m3 balloon landed in the North of Canada (Nunavut).
On-site facilities: Areas for payload preparation: 800 m2, adjacent launch base. The site accomodate equipement handling up to 3000 kg. The launch pad allows for launched of balloons up to 1.1 million m3.
The site offers 3 preparation areas :
- Cathedral : payload preparation area of 300 m2, Ceiling 7m. Overhead traveling crane, with a lifting capability of 3.2 tons.
- Chapel: balloon payload assembly hall of 100 m2, overhead crane of 1 Ton which can be extended 2 m outside the entrance door. A 30 m2 area is used as storage for launch support equipment.
- Basilica : main assembly hall of 308 m2, one crane with a 1 ton lifting capability. The front part of the building is a two floor area with an office and an Operation Balloon Center on the second floor, used only during count down and the launch phase.
Esrange also offers accomodations for mission teams : hôtel Aurora. The hotel houses 79 rooms,conference rooms, gym, sauna and kitchens for self-catering.
Balloon launch base in Timmins, Canada: In 2012, Timmins has been selected to host a balloon launch base thanks to its location and weather conditions. The launch pad is located at a safe distance for American airspace, mountains, and water areas. The airport is located 10 km away from the city of Timmins.
On-site facilities: the site offers 3 preparation areas :
- Integration of the flight trains and the operational gondolas: 350 m2 the second floor is used as flight operation center.
- Payload’s Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) : can host up to 5 payloads which can be prepared simultaneously (useful area of 300 m2, height 7,5 m under crane hook).
- New building (2023) : access doors 10 x 5 m, mobile crane for equipment up to 4 tons, 1 beam trolley.
- One storage shelter for the heavy launch support equipment.
During missions, teams have to find accomodations in the city of Timmins.
Launch base of Aire-sur-l’Adour : flights are operated from this launch base since the early 60s. The site is currently principally used for technological tests and operational qualifications. As a result of an increment in the failure and safety requeriments in 2009, the site does not anymore operate ZPB flights. However, it is still used for free-release balloon launches all over the year. An operational team of 30 persons is present on site.
On-site facilities : The launch pad is of 300 m long, in a surface of 12 hectares. The site is equipped with an integration hall for payload and balloon flight chains, machine shops, and a flight control center lets to develope extensive launching campaigns with a well established capability to launch balloons ranging from 1000 m3 to 400.000 m3.
During missions, the teams can find housing in the cite of Aire-sur-l’Adour.
COBRA (Centro de Operaçoes com Baloes da Regiao Amazonica) (Palmas, Brésil) : Since 2021, CNES signed an agreement with the University federal of Tocantins (UFT) and the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) to implement a permanent launch base in Brazil.
On-site facilities: The site is currently under construction but is expected to propose an integration hall of 375 m2, equipped with a pulley for equipment handling up to 4 tons, ceiling 10 m, and offices equiupped with Air Conditioning. Internet : Eduroam.