High Altitude Balloons

I have received support to start a High Altitude Balloon project at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (http://www.wb.psu.edu/Information/31426.htm#NEWS31426). If everything goes as planned, we may have our first launch at the end of the semester or shortly after finals.

High Altitude Balloons rutinely fly up to 90,000 t o 100,000 feet, becoming an excellent platform for experimentation in sciences and engineering. They are a way to engage students from different educational backgrounds, offer incredible views and are fun.

The pictures here are from a workshop that I attended last June at Taylor University, Hopefully we'll be able to post our own very soon.

Building the Payloads. Because the extremely low temperatures, electronic components must be kept as insulated as possible. Basic insulation sheets are used to house the different experiments and electronic components.

Inflating the balloon with helium. The inflation process is critical for a successful flight.

Launch. Two High Altitude Balloons were launched simultaneously. It is possible to see the different payloads linked together. The small balloon in the background was from an inflation test.

A camera inside one of the payloads provides spectacular views.

Another camera, pointing upwards captures the balloon and the payloads above it. Once again, the views are spectacular!