Introduction

Seven balloon flights were scheduled at IPMet/UNESP balloon facility in Bauru between February 7th and February 24th 2003 : four long duration Infra-Red Montgolfier , two 10000 m3 (10 ZL) and one 3000 m3 heavy payload balloon (3SF)

The objective of the campaign was threefold :

the validation of measurements of several space atmospheric chemistry instruments recently placed into orbit, primarily GOMOS, SCIAMACHY and MIPAS on-board ENVISAT in the frame of the ESABC (ENVISAT Satellite, Aircraft and Balloon Campaign) and also SAGE III and ODIN;
the testing of several new instruments, balloon flight procedures, radiosondes and the strengthening of cooperative activities with Brazilian research groups in view of the HIBISCUS/TROCCINOX campaign in 2004 and;
preliminary scientific studies related to HIBISCUS objectives.

Bauru 2003 is also part of the EC VINTERSOL programme to which ESA and NASA are associated.

The campaign was as well an opportunity for the CNES Balloon Division and LMD to test further new equipment and balloons, in view of future programmes.

Specific objectives of the Bauru 2003 campaign are available to HIBISCUS team members : Bauru2003objectives.pdf .