Schools Join Forces for Equinox Balloon Launches

Fourteen medium-altitude balloons carrying amateur radio transmitters were launched from various schools around the world on the March equinox, and were being tracked as they traversed the globe. According to Newsline, schools in several parts of the United States, Argentina and Australia were involved in the launches. Each solar-powered balloon carried a lightweight "Skytracker" APRS and WSPR payload, designed by ham-balloon guru Bill Brown, WB8ELK. Students then tracked each of the balloons on their journeys, which took them over Siberia, South Africa and China, among other places.