Track: High School STEM Competition

Abstract

This work shows the development of a platform for STEM experiments in high altitude using a stratospheric balloon, how it was developed, the challenges encountered in the whole process and the results of the first experiment carried out in this platform: cosmic radiation measurements from ground up to twenty kilometers in altitude. This platform features Globalsat GPS tracking, three cameras for recording video and still images and sensors for data collection. The onboard computer consists of Arduino and Labrador which are open source development boards with a BMP280 sensor for measuring temperature, pressure and altitude data that are stored in a mass memory card (microSD). The radiation is measured by a Geiger tube that captures alpha, beta and gamma radiation. The knowledge gathered in this experience including planning, launch, rescue and data analysis which are important to determine the onboard experiments constraints are shown and discussed. Finally, improvements concerning the payload space design and operational processes and important additional features such as telemetry and search-and-rescue aid electronics are proposed for the next launch that is scheduled for June 7, 2020.