The document covers a series of papers given at the fifth AFCRL scientific balloon symposium. The subjects were selected to cover the most recent developments in balloon technology and examples of the use of balloons for research purposes. The symposium is intended to provide an exchange of information for the developers of balloon systems and provides an excellent opportunity for scientists to discuss potential balloon capabilities and applications for the accomplishment of scientific programs. Balloon technology presentations included recent material investigations, tandem balloon stress analysis, balloon instrumentation, tethered balloons, cryoinflation feasibility studies and proposed launching techniques for large balloon systems.