High-Altitude Ballooning

The NDSGC is proud to support student-led balloon research and competitions.

Atmospheric and Experimental Student-Initiated Research (AESIR) Ballooning Team

The student-led Atmospheric and Experimental Student-Initiated Research high-altitude balloon program focuses on integrating the engineering design process into the K-12 curriculum, reinforcing graduate students' experiential and mission-based learning, and fortifying teamwork and communication skills.

High-Altitude Student Platform (HASP)

The High Altitude Student Platform is a student competition put together by NASA and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium which allows for 12 student-built instruments to be flown on each mission. The University of North Dakota and the University of North Florida teams have collaboratively flown together since 2008. The faculty lead for the UND team is Dr. Ron Fevig. The UND/UNF payload consists of nano-crystalline sensor arrays which measure the ozone profile in the stratosphere (learn more). The HASP gondola is launched on a zero-pressure latex balloon out of the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Ft Sumner, New Mexico. Learn more about the competition on the HASP website.

Near-Space Balloon Competition

Each year, the NDSPC sponsors the Near-Space Balloon Competition for K-12 students. All experience levels are welcome.