Strato-Science campaign
In and , four zero-pressure balloons carrying seven Canadian payloads will be launched from the Timmins Stratospheric Balloon Base to test new technologies, conduct science experiments and take measurements. In addition, six meteorological balloons will be launched with educational or scientific payloads onboard.
The goal of the meteorological balloon campaign is to provide post-secondary students with the unique opportunity to design, build and test small payloads. The payloads will launch aboard a high-altitude balloon system, provided by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and will give students enough experience to perform their own balloon launches. As part of the launches, the teams are introduced to engineering project processes and produce technical and progress reports in different phases. The campaign provides an amazing way to develop STEM skills.
List of payloads
Zero-pressure balloons
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Balloon-borne Very Long Baseline Interferometry Experiment (BVEX)
- Organization: Queen's University
- Objective: Observe radio galaxies simultaneously with ground-based radio telescopes
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DOROTHY – 360° high-resolution cameras
- Organization: The Dorothy Project
- Objective: Multispectral imagery/video for immersive experiences and science
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Flying eYe / HABLAN v3
- Organization: Cégep de Sherbrooke
- Objective: Measure anthropogenic light pollution
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MaQFly2 (Quantum Magnetometer in the Stratosphere)
- Organization: Cégep de Sherbrooke in partnership with SBQuantum
- Objective: Demonstration of reliability and precision of a quantum magnetometer designed for space applications
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Nüvü
- Organization: Nüvü Cameras
- Objective: Technology demonstration of Electron-Multiplying Charge-Coupled Device camera in Earth observation
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Photometric Observations of Extrasolar Transits (POET)
- Organization: Western University
- Objective: Technology demonstration of a short-wave infrared camera for satellite use
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Resident Space Object sensor 3 (R3)
- Organization: York University
- Objective: Detect resident space objects and space debris
Stratospheric expandable balloons (meteorological balloons)
CAN-SBX Challenge
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Adaptive Signal Transmission and Real-time Analytics (ASTRA)
- Organization: University of Waterloo
- Objectives: Active filtering of galactic cosmic rays (GCR) interference using machine learning
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Cloud Chasers
- Organization: University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus
- Objective: Measurement of GCR flux with varying altitude
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Space Travel Analog Research Team (START)
- Organization: University of Toronto
- Objective: Assess performance of a pressure and temperature-controlled chamber for future biological experiments in the stratosphere
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Stratopores
- Organization: University of Ottawa
- Objective: Assess effects of stratospheric environment on solid-state nanopores
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Science Timmins
- Organization: Science Timmins
- Objective: Seven experiments from nine high-school students studying sound waves, UV rays, photography, particulates, and biological effects in the stratosphere. Up to four elementary school experiments from dozens of students will study stratospheric effects on materials, such as paper, food products, and adhesives.
Contact
Should you have any questions regarding the STRATOS program, contact us at stratos_administration@asc-csa.gc.ca.