Arabic version: طلاب نيوكاسل يطلقون بالونات عالية الارتفاع في المناطق النائية في نيو ساوث ويلز
A group of high school students from Newcastle has successfully launched two self-made high-altitude weather balloons from outback NSW. The project, part of a STEM teaching unit at the Hunter School of Performing Arts, involved 21 year 10 students who built the balloons to gather atmospheric data. According to ABC News, the students raised $15,000 to fund the trip and materials needed for the launch.
Each balloon weighed just 3 kilograms and was crafted from degradable latex. They were designed to ascend to an altitude of 35 kilometres before bursting and returning to Earth with a parachute. One balloon experienced an early string break and landed 40 kilometres north of Tottenham, while the second balloon reached its intended height and landed 250 kilometres away at a citrus farm in Narromine.
Five-year-old Ezra Roberts, who lives on the orange farm with his parents, assisted in retrieving the balloon after it landed. The balloons were equipped with a box containing a tracker and instruments to measure temperature, speed, location, humidity, and pressure. Students also included personal keepsakes in the payloads, adding a sentimental touch to the scientific endeavor.
This launch marks the second attempt by the students, following a previous successful launch in Nyngan in 2024, which reached an altitude of 28 kilometres. Teacher Ben Moore expressed pride in the students’ efforts, stating that he was thrilled to repeat the project with a larger group. The students traveled nearly 700 kilometres to Cobar for this ambitious project, showcasing their dedication to scientific exploration.
