BOWLING GREEN — Watched by a curious crowd, student and faculty space researchers launched a balloon Monday to the edge of space, where it harvested valuable data for future missions, a Morehead State University scientist said.
The balloon soared more than 91,000 feet above the earth, high enough to see the planet’s curvature and the inky blackness of space. Instruments tethered to it recorded and transmitted data to researchers back on the ground.
“The launch was a resounding success,” said MSU space science professor Ben Malphrus, who is director of the university’s Space Science Center. “All the payload experiments worked ... the data looked beautiful.”
The launch was a project of a consortium of Kentucky colleges and universities called Kentucky Space, which has one suborbital rocket mission under its belt and plans to send a satellite into orbit in January.
Morehead State students helped design the payload instruments, which collected data Kentucky Space will use to design further orbital launches.
The payload included high-resolution cameras that recorded stunning images of the earth and the blackness of space.
The launch team spent much of Sunday on a dry run, testing the balloon and its instruments and rehearsing their pre-flight and launch procedures. Then at dawn Monday they took it all to the Bowling Green airport where they inflated the balloon in a hangar and attached a long tether dangling with instruments.
After last-minute tests, crew members tugged the balloon outside and released it to soar into the flawless blue of the Western Kentucky sky.
Scientists had hoped the balloon would make it to 100,000 feet, but anything over 80,000 feet was cause for celebration, Malphrus said.
At 91,277 feet, above 99 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere, the balloon finally burst. A parachute deployed on the way down and a GPS instrument helped researchers recover the payload.
The Morehead students helped design the payload and were primarily responsible for the communications system that beamed data back to earth.
MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Hand out
-
Joe Imel
-
Joe Imel
-
Hand out
Discussion
Space balloon launch a success
For a video of Monday's launch, see link at right
- Local News
-
-
Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
State legislatures and Gov. Steve Beshear gathered in West Liberty on Friday to sign three bills that will help in the recovery efforts of the tornado-stricken town.
-
Students get more than a scoop’s share
There’s nothing more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day, and no one knows that better than the principal of Hager Elementary School in Ashland.
-
2 school aides part of drug arrests
Two elementary school aides and three other people were arrested Thursday in a Carter County drug investigation.
-
5K run main attraction for Final Friday in Greenup
Greenup’s Final Friday included the usual live entertainment and car show, but a 5K run also attracted many to town Friday evening.
-
Fla.-to-Boyd drug ring defendants plead guilty
One of the eight people charged in an alleged Florida-to-Boyd County pill-trafficking ring pleaded guilty Thursday and a second is expected to do the same next week.
A third defendant in the case pleaded guilty May 18. -
Carter school layoffs possible
Carter County schools are looking at deep budget cuts and layoffs.
About 20 may lose their jobs this year, treasurer Andy Lyons said. Lyons spoke to a reporter Thursday after presenting a tentative budget to the school board last week. -
Day of music at Greenbo Saturday
Live music will be playing non-stop during Saturday afternoon’s Greenup County Music Festival at the Greenbo Lake State Park Amphitheatre, starting with “The Greenup County ‘IT’ Factor” top-10 finalists at 1 p.m.
-
U.S. 23 yard sale going strong in fifth year
The annual U.S. 23 yard sale began Thursday, starting along the highway in Michigan and ending in Virginia.
-
Couple donates land to Habitat
It is said home is where the heart is. One Greenup County couple’s heart-felt gift will help two families live the phrase by receiving homes.
-
Vet appreciation picnic set at park
Tri-State veterans are invited to a free outing on June 2.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
