When imagining a Space Programme, we think of Elon Musk of Space X and the Nasa team of astronauts and engineers. This year we have proved that we can also launch a Space Programme at St. Peter’s School, with the collaboration of a group of motivated students in Year 10, 5 and 4; a highly professional support from the company Everis, and our Robotics & AI teacher, Mr. Mauri.
The challenge was to designand launch a high altitude balloon, expected to fly for 90 minutes, traveling a distance of 100 km and reaching an altitude of 27 km, right into the stratosphere. The team needed a wide knowledge that included electronics (Raspberry Pi and Arduino), additional electronic hardware with cameras and GPS (coordination, communication), and scientific experiments that were to be included in the thermal box that would be attached to the balloon and to a parachute. It looked quite a complex challenge at the beginning. However, with the enthusiasm and hard work of everyone involved, the balloon was launched to the stratosphere on the 2nd June, and the team could recover the box with great success:
- Final maximum height: 32919m
- Lowest temperature: -49.06ºC
- Lowest pressure: 10,91 mbar
- Ascent time: 100 min (longer than predicted which allowed it to achieve a greater altitude)
- Descent time: 50 min
- Launching location: Serós (41.46919, 0.4120080)
- Landing location: between Artesa and Els Alamus (N41.58100, E000.72910)
- horizontal distance: 35 km
The schematics of the Mission
The experiments contained in the thermal box collected data that now the students are analyzing. As an additional prize, we were able to take some amazing pictures and videos of the earth’s curvature. If you wish to watch the whole experience, please visit https://streamyard.com/fm5hsixkxt
