Balloon carrying experiments launched from James Clemens

The UAH Space Hardware Club and JCHS Engineering Academy teamed up for a balloon launch on the football field that carried several experiments aloft.

MADISON – A high altitude balloon caught all the attention on the James Clemens High School campus on Friday.

The UAH Space Hardware Club and JCHS Engineering Academy teamed up for a balloon launch on the football field that carried several experiments aloft. About 150 students crowded on the field to witness the flight and get a briefing from the project team.

Observers got a real-life experience in seeing how things can sometimes go wrong. As the balloon was being prepped for its flight, a gust of wind yanked it from its secure line and sent it soaring – without payload – off into the wild blue yonder.

Fortunately for the flight team and excited onlookers, an extra balloon was on hand with plenty of helium to boot. The replacement craft was aired up for a second successful launch.

The 12-foot diameter balloon carried several pieces of equipment strung out on a line outfitted with a parachute. The balloon was to ascend through the various levels of the atmosphere until it burst from overpressure. Organizers estimated that to happen around 70,000 to 90,000 feet.

Experiments included a High Altitude Visual Orientation Control (HAVOC) to collect rotational data in the form of rotational velocity and orientation, and visual data from a video. Active stabilization will help any balloon slow its rotation in the wind, achieve a useful orientation, and ensure valid data collection. Video will be shared with JCHS Engineering Academy.

Another instrument was a device for sampling a chemical analysis from lightning called a PASCAL. This project has the purpose of researching nitrogen oxides that are generated from lightning in squall line thunderstorms, as such, this project will collect air samples for on ground anal- ysis and standard atmospheric data for corroboration.

A third component was a radio module to help test the effective range of project radio receivers.

It was an outstanding learning experience today led by students of the UAH Space Hardware Club who gathered afterward in the JCHS Engineering Lab to debrief and mix with students interested in engineering career pathways.

School district officials praised JCHS Engineering instructors Jeffrey Thomas and Allison Turner, MCS Career Tech Coach Michelle Hyams, and other JC and UAH school leaders for creating a wonderful learning experience.

Other classes out to witness and learn from the launch included math, science, forensics, and others.