galaSAT project
exploring the near space

The day began at 8:30 a.m. with the launch of a high-altitude balloon from the school in Palma del Río. Under clear skies, the balloon, loaded with a payload including high-resolution cameras, meteorological sensors, and scientific experiments designed by local students, ascended at an average speed of 5.5 m/s. The primary objective of the mission is to capture images of the Earth's curvature, test various communication systems, and study atmospheric conditions in the stratosphere.

At 12:50 UTC, the balloon reached its maximum altitude of 24,680 m asl, confirming the team's expectations. From this height, the cameras captured stunning images of the Earth's horizon and the thin blue line of the atmosphere, while the sensors recorded valuable data on pressure and temperature. The sky, practically black due to the low density of air molecules, offered an unforgettable visual spectacle.

After the balloon burst, the payload descended via parachute and landed at 13:26 UTC in a rural area near Palma del Río, approximately 7.5 km from the launch site. The recovery team, composed of volunteers and galaSAT members, located and recovered the equipment in perfect condition, celebrating the mission's success.

The galaSAT VIII mission not only achieved its scientific objectives but also inspired the local community, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and curiosity in conquering new frontiers.

The video of the galaSAT VII launch, available, captures the latest feat of the galaSAT project, led by students at the Antonio Gala High School in Palma del Río, Córdoba. This educational project, recognized for fostering STEAM skills, shows the launch of a high-altitude balloon that reached the stratosphere to conduct scientific experiments.

The video begins with preparations in the school's courtyard, where the students, guided by coordinator José Alcaide Soret, assemble the capsule equipped with ESP32 sensors, GPS, and cameras. The video highlights the teamwork to verify systems such as the LoRaWAN and APRS transmitters and parachute, essential for tracking and recovering the cargo. The visual narrative includes the balloon's inflation with helium, followed by the launch, which took place on a clear morning, in keeping with the project's tradition.

Stunning aerial images show the curvature of the Earth and the Sun from approximately 25000 meters, captured by the capsule's cameras. The data collected, such as extreme temperatures (down to -50°C) and precise altitudes, reflect the project's scientific objectives. The video also documents the recovery phase, with the team pursuing the capsule after its parachute descent, facing technical challenges similar to those of previous missions, such as temporary tracking failures.

Throughtout the flight, the payload telemetry was patched to the Internet through several LoRaWAN gateways in Spain (Madrid, Murcia, Alicante, Albacete, Málaga, Murcia, Lisboa, Coimbra, La Línea de la Concepción,...) allowing our friends to follow galaSAT VII capsule.

The montage highlights hands-on learning, with students analyzing post-flight data and reflecting on improvements. Despite potential obstacles, such as regulations from the Spanish National Aviation Authority (ENAIRE), the video conveys a message of perseverance and passion for science.

galaSAT VI was launched from our High School last May 16, 2021. We couldn't share our project with classmates and families because of COVID19

The launch was made from the playground of Antonio Gala High School at about 11.00 am and almost an hour and half later the payload landed close to San Sebastián de los Ballesteros. Because of some mistakes on APRS and LoRa comunication we couldn't find out our payload. Fortunately, a farmer (Mateo) who found the payload two days later phoned to tell us great news.

Flight Information galaSAT VI was:

Launching point: 37°41.97' N 5°16.42' W

Landing point: 37°37'36.4" N 4°49'33.3" W

Ballon: Hwoyee HY-800

Parachute: Spherachute-60"

Gas: Helium

Flight time: 1 hour and 34 minutes

Distance: 40.4 Km from the launching site (in straight line)

Date: May 16, 2021

Launch time: 11:07 am

Burst time: 12:11 pm

Land time: 12:42 pm

Burst altitude: 22726 meters

Communication #1: APRS (144.8 MHz) / callsign: EA7KAV-11

Communication #2: LoRa (868 MHz) - It didn't work :(

galaSAT V was launched from our High School last May 10, 2019. We shared our project with classmates and families.

The launch was made in the playground of Antonio Gala High School at about 11.30 am and almost two hours later the payload landed.

Flight Information galaSAT V was:

Launching point: 37°41.97' N 5°16.42' W

Landing point: 37°49'50.5"N 4°20'24.4"W

Ballon: Hwoyee HY-800

Parachute: Spherachute-60"

Gas: Helium

Flight time: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Distance: 83.4 Km from the launching site (in straight line)

Date: May 10, 2019

Launch time: 11:50 am

Burst time: 13:00 pm

Land time: 13:35 pm

Burst altitude: 21327 meters

Communication #1: APRS (144.8 MHz) / callsign: EA7KAV-11

Communication #2: SPOT Tracking System

Due to problems beyond our control Spanish Air Traffic Control), galaSAT IV was launched from our High School on June 13, 2018.

The launch took place in the playground of Antonio Gala High School at about 06:00 am and almost two hours later the payload landed.

Flight Information galaSAT IV was:

Launching point: 37°41.97' N 5°16.42' W

Landing point: 37°26'20.0"N 4°53'10.8"W

Ballon: Hwoyee HY-800

Parachute: Spherachute-60"

Gas: Helium

Flight time: 2 hours and 13 minutes

Distance: 44.88 Km from the launching site (in straight line)

Date: June 13, 2018

Launch time: 06:10

Burst time: 07:50

Land time: 08:23

Burst altitude: 26496 meters

Communication #1: APRS (144.8 MHz) / callsign: EA7KAV-11

Communication #2: SPOT Tracking System

galaSAT THREE has been our third flight. Due to problems beyond our control, the launch took place on May 13, at 2:15 a.m. However, It has been a great learning experience and an opportunity to grow. galaSAT THREE reached the bursting point (25584 meters) at 03:33 am, while some members were sleeping :). After a few hours to rest, we began the recovery at 7:30 am and twelve hours later we were back at home.

Next launch will take place in May this year 2017. A renewed human team is going to face a new challenge: galaSAT THREE. The team is composed of nineteen people (four girls and fifteen boys linked in a common purpose).

There are several goals we would like to achieve on this new misión: reach more than 100.000 feet above sea level; set up a pressure sensor to check out how air pressure changes at different altitudes; design and make up a DIY parachute to get a safety return.

galaSAT II is the second flight with the goal of testing new electronic equipment. Last 3rd June galaSAT TWO reached the bursting point (16136 meters) at 11:56 am, while we are driving toward the landing site.

A new human team is going to face up to a new challenge: galaSAT TWO. A team made up of 21 students from two different grades. This time, the human team is composed of 9 girls and 12 boys who are working together.

There are some goals we want to achieve on this second misión: reach more than 27.602 meters at bursting point; set up a pressure sensor to check out how air pressure changes at different altitudes; set up an ultraviolet light sensor to prove how UV light changes at different altitudes; implement a top camera which allows us to record the bursting point and know how the parachute works during descent.

Thanks to our workmate Anibal de la Torre, we have taken part in STEMooc to show how our project permit us to develop Education Technology Standards for Students: analyze data, plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project, process data and report results, communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats, use models and simulations to explore complex systems, contribute to project teams to produce original works or solve problems…

Thanks to information from APRS tracker we can compare and validate the predicted flight models vs the real flight. As we can see in the image below, CSUF predictor has been more accurate than ASTRA predictor. The straight line distance from CSUF Landing point to Real Landing Point was 3.33 Kilometers. On the contrary, the predicted flight model by ASTRA shows an enormous difference (17.38 Kilometers)

Galasat I began to ascend at 11:50 h and 86 minutes later the high altitude balloon burst reaching an altitude of 27.602 meters. The maximum temperature during that time was -36’5° C. During 19 minutes the payload was on free falling and our device logged a maximum temperature of -53° C at 13:22 h.