1. Niamey 23 Aug 2006 Local storms Ex of successful flight (1) Ice geysers and water vapour enhancements in the TTL 1500 m3 plastic balloon, 9 kg payload (Flash hygrometer, BKS, PTU, GPS, Ozone) Khaikin et al.

2. Niamey 31 Jul 2006 8:30 Niamey 31 Jul 2006 9:00 Ex of successful flight (2): dust up to 22 km 4000 m3 plastic balloon, 30 kg payload Uwyo Optical Particle Counter and CN Deshler et al.

3. Ex of successful flight (3): Lightning and LNOx AIRS AC Electric field Optical sensors Zenith, Nadir SAOZ Lightning NOX in the UT Berthelier et al.

4. How studying TST with balloons ? 2. Long duration circum-navigating flights

5. INFRA-RED MONTGOLFIER HIBISCUS Feb-April 2004 Longitude (°) to the West Max Water Vapour in the TTL over convective continents Pommereau et al. 39 days flight

6. Max production at 10-15 km over Africa and South America Little indication of blue-jet / TLE production in the stratosphere ? INFRA-RED MONTGOLFIER HIBISCUS Feb-April 2004, 39 days Pommereau et al.

7. HIBISCUS : Stratospheric super-pressure balloons (BPS) Bauru Courtesy : A. Hertzog 8 flights at 19 km Up to 79 days

8. Impact of CNES Balloon evolution since 2004 - Rubber and plastic balloon sondes: CNES said not interested Alternative: Operation by scientists - Small balloons : addition of valve, ballast, 55 /65 kg telemetry and thus larger balloon, 3.5 h chronology, flight under derogation of CNES president! etc. Result: significant loss of flexibility. 6 flights during SCOUT- AMMA instead of 10 planned - MIR (and BP): new hard restrictions (discovered by scientists only on the field). Offer to fly over oceans only ! Cut-down if predicted at 18 km during the following nights. Why 18 km? Risk of collision with aircraft? Risk for ground population back to >10-6. Validity of ECMWF brigthness temperature predictions? No more feasible for the moment

9. Prerequisite for new balloon projects - clear view of what is still feasible: sites, balloon types, CNES safety rules…. - better exchange between scientists and CNES IB in the definition of balloon projects in adequation with scientific objectives