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| Paper: |
High-Altitude Balloon Launches and Hands-On Sensors for Effective Student Learning in Astronomy and STEM |
| Volume: |
443, Earth and Space Science: Making Connections in Education and Public Outreach |
| Page: |
340 |
| Authors: |
Voss, H. D.; Dailey, J.; Snyder, S. J. |
| Abstract: |
Students creating and flying experiments into near-space using a low-cost
balloon High-Altitude Research Platform (HARP) greatly advance understanding
in introductory astronomy and advanced classes across several disciplines.
Remote sensing above 98% of the atmosphere using cameras, image intensifiers,
IR, and UV sensors provides access to the heavens and large regions of the
earth below. In situ and limb atmospheric gas measurements, near-space stratosphere measurements, and cosmic rays engage students in areas from planetary atmospheres to supernova acceleration. This new capability is possible by exposing students to recent advances in MEMS technology, nanotechnology, wireless telecommunication systems, GPS, DSPs and other microchip miniaturizations to build less than 4 kg payloads. The HARP program provides an engaging laboratory, gives challenging science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field experiences, reaches students from diverse backgrounds, encourages collaboration among science faculty, and provides quantitative assessment of the learning outcomes. Over a seven-year period, Taylor University, an undergraduate liberal
arts school, has successfully launched over 230 HARP systems to
altitudes over 30 km (100% retrieval success with rapid recovery) with
flight times between two and six hours. The HARP payloads included two GPS
tracking systems, cameras and monitors, a 110 kbit down link, an uplink
command capability for educational experiments (K–12 and undergraduate).
Launches were conducted during the day and night, with multiple balloons, with up to 10 payloads for experiments, and under varying weather and upper atmospheric conditions. The many launches in a short period of time allowed the payload bus design to evolve toward increased performance, reliability, standardization, simplicity, and modularity for low-cost launch services. Through NSF and NASA grants, the program has expanded, leading to representatives from more than
52 universities being trained at workshops to implement high-altitude balloon launches in the classroom. A spin-off company, StratoStar Systems LLC, now
sells the turn-key high-altitude balloon system, and another spin-off company, NearSpace Launch, now offers a low cost ride-for-hire into near-space. |
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