Delivery Day: My First Box of Pawan Upper-Atmospheric Balloons
Today I received my box of upper-atmospheric balloons from Pawan Rubber Products in India — a company widely regarded for producing some of the best scientific and meteorological balloons in the world.
When I first reached out to the Pawan team with questions about weather balloons, they were exceptionally helpful. They took the time to explain balloon characteristics, offer technical guidance, and even provided a sample unit so I could better understand the product. Although I had to pay the required import taxes here in the United States, that cost was not on Pawan; their support and willingness to help were outstanding from start to finish. Their insight into specifications, flight profiles, and lifting gases made a real difference.
Thank you, Pawan!
Packaging, Quality, and First Impressions
My shipment arrived packaged as if it were a full production order — double-wrapped in protective plastic and secured with nylon straps in two locations. Inside, each balloon was individually boxed and factory-sealed, with clear labeling and a clean presentation.
This level of packaging inspires real confidence. It means I can open a single balloon’s box knowing it hasn’t been compromised, degraded, or punctured over time. Everything about it suggests reliability and readiness, making these balloons excellent candidates for any routine atmospheric research or observation program.
For my own project, proper storage and long-term integrity are crucial, and Pawan’s attention to detail gives me the assurance I was hoping for.
This link is a very well written short article on sounding balloons
https://pawanrubber.com/sounding-balloons/
The link below is about the history of PAWAN.
https://pawanrubber.com/about-us/
The two types of balloons I have are the
Type: CPR-70 GM white
Type CPR-100 GM White
This data is an approximation until I find more specific data
PAWAN CPR-70 vs CPR-100 – Specification Comparison Table
| Specification | CPR-70 | CPR-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Balloon Weight | 70 g | 100 g |
| Rated Payload | 100 g | 75 g |
| Typical Free Lift | 30–50 g | ~455 g (implied from lift rating) |
| Total Lift Needed / Design Lift | 200–220 g | ~630 g |
| Helium Required (Liters) | 200–220 L | ~630 L |
| Helium Required (Cubic Feet) | 7.1–7.8 ft³ | ~22.3 ft³ |
| Lift Per Liter (Rule of Thumb) | ~1 g/L | ~1 g/L |
| Expected Burst Altitude | 10–12 km (33,000–39,000 ft) | ~16 km (≈52,000 ft) |
| Float Altitude | Not designed to float | Not designed to float |
| Typical Ascent Rate | Moderate (depends on free lift) | Faster due to high free lift |
| Best Use Case | Light payloads, short-range met or tracker flights | Higher-altitude sounding, heavier rigging margin |