Operation Skyhook launch, 1960. Operation Skyhook research balloon on the flight deck of a US Navy aircraft carrier just prior to launch. The 10-million cubic foot meteorological balloon was developed by German-US aeronautics engineer Otto C. Winzen. The balloon carried scientific devices to measure and record primary cosmic rays high in the atmosphere at an altitude of 29 to 35 kilometres. This launch (for mission Refly B) took place in the Caribbean, from the aircraft carrier USS Valley Forge (CVS-45). Photographed on 30 January 1960.