A simple, inexpensive method has been developed for air-launching constant-level plastic balloons in rapid succession from a transport-type aircraft. The entire launch system is palletized upon one 24 ft-modular airdrop platform; no alterations to the aircraft are needed. The balloon, encased in a nylon bag, is inflated inside the aircraft, and extracted by parachute. The bag then falls away, releasing the balloon and payload. Four regular crew members can inflate and launch several 8-ft diam, polyethylene balloons at 10-min intervals from a C-130 aircraft flying at speeds up to 130 knots and at altitudes up to 10,000 feet. (Author).

The annotated bibliography has evolved from an informal compilation prepared in response to many requests from military and civilian researchers who were planning balloon-borne experiments and searching for data or detailed information concerning some specific aspects of modern scientific ballooning operations. The bibliography consists of three parts: a subject index, an author index, and the bibliography with annotations.

Lists citations with abstracts for aerospace related reports obtained from world wide sources and announces documents that have recently been entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database.

This publication contains preprints of papers presented at the Eighth AFCRL Scientific Balloon Symposium, 30 September to 3 October 1974, held at Hyannis, Mass. The papers are grouped in accordance with the five symposium sessions: powered balloons, tethered balloons, free balloon technology, balloon-borne experiments, and special applications