Following Felix Baumgartner’s record-breaking freefall from the edge of Space, Rapid is excited to be helping a school’s ambitious project to send a weather balloon almost as high above the Earth.
Pupils from Queen Mary's Grammar School in Walsall not only aim to send the helium filled weather balloon 29km (18 miles) into the Earth’s atmosphere, but record environmental data and film the mission using an on-board computer they have programmed themselves. The ‘Horizon’ project is led by teacher Adam Coghlan and involves a team of 20 sixth-form students employing a wide range of skills across every aspect of the project, from programming, logistics and engineering to sponsorship and publicity.
The core STEM aspects of the project requires the pupils to build and control electronic circuits using the Arduino prototyping platform. The on-board computer has to be programmed to perform a range of actions, such as controlling GPS tracking devices and environmental sensors. Custom firmware is being written by a member of the team which will enable the on-board camera to run autonomously, so that parts of the camera system can be turned off in order to prolong its battery life.
One of the key milestones in the Horizon project has recently been achieved with the successful building of a radio transmitter circuit, which is essential to transmit the GPS data. This will enable the team to plot the flight path of the balloon and allow supporters of the project to track its course on Google Maps.
As ‘Horizon’ builds to the planned launch date in March 2013, the next key deadline is to complete the building of the flight computer, which also needs to be thoroughly tested in sub-zero conditions to mimic the extreme temperatures the balloon’s payload will experience. Another part of the team is working on building a sensor array to collect environmental data during the flight.
“The project offers a big opportunity for the pupils to really shine,” said Mr Coghlan. “They are free to carve out their own roles, choose their level of involvement, conduct their own research, learn new skills and contribute to their team’s goals. This confidence of ability and independence of action is what all schools aspire to instill in their pupils. The memories of their time working on the project and the result of their contributions will be with them for the rest of their lives."
While the school provided initial capital to launch the project, the team rely on sponsorship, donations and fundraising in order to afford the numerous expenses and hardware costs. Rapid were delighted to be able to donate Arduino kits and numerous electronic components needed for the team’s programming and circuit-building work. To enquire about making a donation to the project, contact Mr Coghlan by emailing a-coghlan@qmgs.walsall.sch.uk.
View the project website here.
