The R.L. Golden
Particle Astrophysics Laboratory

Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.A.

A Sub-department of the Klipsch School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, NMSU College of Engineering

A 40 million cubic foot helium balloon ready for launch.

The New Mexico State University R.L. Golden Particle Astrophysics Lab (PAL) is dedicated to measuring and interpreting cosmic ray spectra in an effort to better understand the origin, structure, and workings of our universe. PAL also serves as the center of a large scientific collaboration including scientists from Italy, Germany, Sweden, Russia, France and India. The collaborators share knowledge and resources to accomplish their common research goals. For the past 20 years, giant helium-filled balloons have carried PAL' s research instrument on 24-hour flights at the top of the earth' s atmosphere. This method of research allows the collaboration to make scientific observations comparable to those possible using satellites, but at a small fraction of the cost. In 1979, PAL founder Robert Golden discovered the existence of naturally occurring antimatter using specialized scientific instruments carried by a high-altitude balloon.