Yet now that precision-pointing has been demonstrated, Landis says it opens up possibilities not just for planetary science, but for earth science and other astrophysics efforts.

FORBES: Budgets Nudge NASA Toward Balloon-Based Planetary Science: First Target? Comet ISON

This pending move back to planetary science from earth sub-orbit comes on the heels of improvements in pointing systems and instrument technologies that will allow ground-based controllers to fine-tune balloon payloads to include one-meter class optical and infrared telescopes.

FORBES: Budgets Nudge NASA Toward Balloon-Based Planetary Science: First Target? Comet ISON