From BOOMERanG to B-Pol

Balloon experiments have played and will play a pivotal role in the study of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), the fossil radiation coming from the early universe. The BOOMERanG experiment has measured the anisotropy (1998-2002) and the E-mode polarization of the CMB (2003-2006), while a new flight of BOOMERanG is planned to measure the polarization generated by interstellar dust at high galactic latitudes. This information is necessary in view of future satellite experiments aimed at a measurement of the B-mode polarization in the CMB. The B-B-Pol experiment is aimed at measuring the polarization of the CMB at large angular scales, using long duration balloon flights during the polar night. This experiment will validate several of the experimental methods to be used in the future B-Pol satellite mission.