NASA Scientific Balloon Launches: JPL‑Remote and Cosmic Dust Missions Take Flight

NASA launched two high‑altitude scientific balloon missions from its Fort Sumner, New Mexico, facility on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025 — the first time in 14 years that two balloons have flown on the same day.

JPL‑Remote Mission

The JPL‑Remote balloon lifted off at 10:12 a.m. EDT (8:12 a.m. MDT). It climbed to a float altitude of 127,000 feet and remained aloft for 12 hours, 58 minutes. The mission’s goal is to measure how gases are layered in Earth’s atmosphere, verify satellite data, and track changes recorded since 1989.

Cosmic Dust Collection Project (CDCP)

The Cosmic Dust Collection Project launched at 12:10 p.m. EDT (10:10 a.m. MDT). It reached 125,000 feet and flew for 8 hours, 36 minutes. The mission is designed to collect cosmic dust at various altitudes to determine how much of it has entered and contaminated the stratosphere.

Follow the Flights

The 2025 Fort Sumner campaign includes multiple balloon missions. Real‑time altitude and location tracking for each flight is available on NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility website.