Up, up, and away! James Clemens students join UAH students for high-altitude balloon launch

MADISON — James Clemens High School is the home of the Jets.

However, today, it was the home of balloons, of the high-altitude variety.

It was truly an uplifting experience as the JCHS Engineering Academy teamed with the University of Alabama in Huntsville Space Hardware Club for a balloon launch that carried several experiments aloft.

Unfortunately, it was up, up and away as a balloon, being prepped for its flight, was yanked from its secure line by a gust of wind and sent soaring – without payload – off into the wild blue yonder.

Fortunately, for the flight team and about 150 students, an extra balloon was on hand with plenty of helium. The replacement craft was aired up for a successful launch.

Experiments included a High Altitude Visual Orientation Control to collect data in the form of rotational velocity and orientation, and visual data from a video.

The stabilization will help any balloon slow its rotation in the wind, achieve a useful orientation, and ensure valid data collection. The video will be shared with the engineering academy students.