SonCube’s Trip to Near Space [NOT TRANSLATED]

2013-09-07

00:00

Mon Natura Pirineus - Planes de Son - Pallars Sobirà

On Saturday September 7th, for its second time, the stratospheric probe SonCube will take off from MónNatura Pirineus (Planes de Son, Pallars Sobirà), driven by a helium balloon and carrying new equipment, cameras, and scientific experiments designed by high school students.

In this second adventure, the Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), the University of Barcelona and Fundació Catalunya – La Pedrera have participated in the organization of the contest: "SonCube: experiment at the frontier of space ", through which two winning students, Marta Puig and Ada Fontrodona, and their teacher Gerard Farràs (Escola Arrels, Solsona) have had the opportunity to design and build the main experiment that will travel on SonCube and take measurements of various gases in the stratosphere.

The origin of the project of this low cost spacecraft took place in 2012 by a group of enthusiasts for space sciences. The first launch of SonCube to the stratosphere took place August 11th of the same year and it reached over 30.000 meters of altitude, obtaining spectacular images of near space and opening the window for new possible educational applications of the project.

For this second trip, the cost of the winning experiment as well as all the equipment installed on SonCube and the material required for take-off, have been funded thanks to a very successful crowdfunding campaign, through which 150% of the proposed amount was attained.

If weather conditions allow it, SonCube will take off this Saturday September 7th at approximately 11:00 am. This will be the first time that we will be able to follow “live” its adventure to space via the internet (www.soncube.com). The spacecraft will deliver direct images during its trip as well as its position and scientific data coming from the sensors on board the device.
If you are interested in watching the “live” coverage of the event: http://www.soncube.com

You can also come and watch the event from MónNatura Pirineus, where you will be able to see the preparation for the takeoff and watch the probe dive into near space.

MónNatura Pirineus: http://monnaturapirineus.com/ca/home/portada

foto1

The SonCube probe with the equipment it will carry next saturday, September 7th. (crèdit: http://www.soncube.com)

foto2

Image of near space from 30.000 meters of altitude, captured during the first flight of SonCube

(crèdit: http://www.soncube.com)

Contact Information:

Enrique Herrero
Institut de Ciències de l’Espai, ICE (CSIC/IEEC)
Email: eherrero@ice.cat
Tel: +34 93 581 43 76

Alina Hirschmann
Science Communication Department
Institut d’Estudis Espacials de Catalunya (IEEC)
Email: outreach@ieec.cat [NOT TRANSLATED]