Inner-lining Texas’ eastern border is the quiet town of Palestine. With just under 19,000 people residing within its limits, the city of Palestine represents a quaint district of rural Texas living. The city is home to two high schools, three main highways, and a Wal-mart that provides a majority of the town’s gross revenue. However, as depopulated as Palestine may be, it is also host to one of NASA’s more reputable departments: Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility.
The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility is a division of NASA’s airspace program responsible for ‘providing launch, tracking and control, airspace coordination, telemetry and command systems, and recovery services for unmanned, high altitude balloons.’(nsbf.nasa.gov) The balloons have been launching for over a decade-more than 1700 balloons have been launched –and conduct scientific research to help answer questions in relation to the universe, atmosphere, sun and space environment.
So why Palestine, TX?
It seems Palestine offers the perfect landscape and setting for these strategic missions. Its rustic surroundings and close proximity to NASA Headquarters provides the convenience and work space needed for a program of its nature. So the next time you step out your Palestine hotel, make sure to take a glance up and be on the lookout for those floating balloons.
| Comments |
|
