In this mission, we’ll take to the field to launch our satellites into “orbit”! Using a tethered balloon, we’ll deploy our models to collect information about the local environment, and also create artworks using data and gravity.

To launch cube satellites into the air, we have been using Public Lab’s mylar balloon kit: https://store.publiclab.org/collections/featured-kits/products/mini-balloon-mapping-kit.

Example Schedule + Materials:

For a 90 minute session:

5 minutes - Settling in

10 minutes - Introducing Liftoff day!

• Logistics for where launching will happen, safety, when to meet back, setc.

15 minutes - Preparing cube satellites

• filling mylar balloons with Helium

• attaching cube satellites to the balloons

• attaching rope to cube satellites

5 minutes - going outside

30 minutes - Liftoff and collecting data!

5 minutes - coming back inside

20 minutes - Coming back together, saving data, share out, and talking about next session

Materials:

• Helium - we used about 1 tank (14.9 cubic ft) for every cube sat (~3 mylar balloons). Teams could also share mylar balloons if necessary.

• Public Lab’s mini-balloon mapping kit per team

  • extra rubber bands, zip ties, tape for attaching cube satellites to balloons

  • scissors to cut zip ties, etc.

• cube satellites

• programmed payloads, computers

• IMPORTANT: an open space away from power lines