NEW
April 30, 2011 LAUNCH
YouTube VIDEO Link
Taken by Prof. David Iadevaia - Pima Community College

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Please click on the Link below to view
a "live action" 3 minute video of our February 2007
Balloon Sat Launch which demonstrates the
balloon filling process and the actual launch.
This is a large file (28 MB) so please be
patient while it loads.
Launch Video Link

Recent Launches
2011 photos coming soon

The April 16, 2011 payloads reached an altitude of 94,645 ft. PHOTOS LINK

The April 30, 2011 payloads reached an altitude of 88,616 ft. PHOTOS LINK
Video LINK

April 10, 2010 Photos LINK
May 1, 2010 Photos LINK

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October 2010 Teacher Workshop
Photos - LINK

The payloads reached an altitude of 87,503 ft.

A balloon satellite is a scientific payload that has equipment inside to photograph and measure the physical properties of the Earth's atmosphere during the ascent and descent of the high altitude weather balloon. 

What do we measure?      pressure
                                        temperature
                                        relative humidity

What tools do we use?     HOBO - pressure gauge
                                       HOBO - temperature
                                       Camera

Changes in Altitudes is a Balloon Satellite program for
5th-12th grade teachers and students, that started in 2003 with support from the Phoenix Mars Lander Mission Education/Public Outreach efforts.  In 2008, this grant ended and we recently received funding to continue in 2009-2010 from Science Foundation Arizona and NASA. The goal of our program is to establish the elements of a small weather balloon satellite program at each participating school, that can be sustained by the school districts at a minimal cost.

Teachers are selected from schools across Arizona through a competitive application process, to receive training at a summer Balloon Satellite Workshop.  Once they are trained, they get to put together a student team that will design, construct and launch and recover small balloon payloads.  These payloads robotically measure the physical properties of the Earth's atmosphere as a function of time during the ascent & descent of a high altitude weather balloon, such as pressure, temperature and relative humidity 

NAU staff and volunteers from ANSR (Arizona Near Space Research)
assist with organizing and running all launch activities.

All materials, travel, room & board fees for the weekend launches
are covered by the Grant. except for a $60/student participation fee for each student that is paid prior to the launch.

Teachers participate in a Workshop paid for by the Space Grant
(typically held on a weekend in mid-October)

Choose a team of 4 students to train to build their own payload

Participate in up to 4 weekend launches over the course of 2 years
(w/4 different student teams)

Be part of a group of 5-10 schools participating in each launch

Be part of a real balloon chase and recover the payloads

Participate in follow-up meeting to discuss experiment/launch results during the launch weekend

Take this valuable lesson back to your classroom and share the experience

The only cost to your school or your students is a $60 per student participation fee that is due prior to the launch.

Quotes from participants

"I felt everything went very smoothly.  Part of science is not always knowing the outcome.  It's important for students to experience this".                             
      Mary Lara, Teacher, DeMiguel Elementary School

"I feel that my students became extremely excited about the possibility of a successful flight, and were truly engaged in what they were doing.  This trip solidified a strong working relationship between the students and I, and their productivity has increased by 100%".            
                               Christine Tokarz, Teacher -
                          Rock Point Community School

"Looking into the box and having the Rock Point students explain what they did was excellent.  My students were able to understand each part and why it was there.  The overall experience of being at the hotel meetings and the launch, with the other student teams and adults was excellent".  
                                 Jackie Drewett, Teacher -
                           Tuba City Boarding School

"it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Not a lot of people do this.  That's why I wanted to do it.  I can't wait to see the pictures".

                    N.Schafer - Bullhead City Jr. High student

      "I had to learn how to solder.  I've never done that before and this has   gotten me more interested in Physics".  

                          M. Jordan - Deer Valley High School student