ASS students launch a weather balloon: a look into space!

ASS students launch a weather balloon: a look into space!

On May 13, 2025, around 15 students from the astrophysics course at the Albert Schweitzer School (ASS) in Alsfeld launched a weather balloon with a special probe to collect data at the edge of the Earth's atmosphere. The project has been prepared since February in four teams, which dealt with various aspects such as data recording, design of the probe, flight path determination and lift planning. For the ascent, the balloon was filled with 5,000 liters of helium, which made it easier because helium is lighter than air.

The probe used was equipped with sensors for altitude, speed, temperature, humidity, infrared radiation, air pressure as well as a GPS tracker and a camera. These technologies are critical to collecting precise data that can help analyze Earth's atmosphere. The project received financial support from various sources, including the Vogelsbergkreis, the Lauterbach-Vogelsberg Lions Club and the ASS support association.

Planning and preparing the flight

Before takeoff, all necessary approvals were obtained from German air traffic control, the regional council and the Alsfeld air sports club. This is essential because weather balloons are not allowed to take off without the appropriate permits. The weather balloon was designed to rise for about two hours before bursting due to falling air pressure. The probe's return was also planned: it was supposed to glide to Earth with a braking parachute and transmit its GPS position in order to land safely.

The balloon was originally intended to land in a different area, but weather conditions brought the probe further east, so it landed near Merkers in Thuringia. After the flight, an evaluation of the collected results will take place in order to analyze the data obtained and gain possible insights.

Weather balloons in education

Weather balloons are an important data collection method in meteorology. Many weather services use such balloons every day to collect information about the weather and atmospheric conditions. Schools are encouraged to undertake similar projects, but require technical skills and approvals from teachers to ensure all necessary safety precautions are taken.

The ASS project was praised by school department head Patrick Krug, who highlighted the students' achievements. Projects like this not only promote interest in natural sciences, but also provide a practical insight into the Earth's atmosphere.

Many climatic and meteorological phenomena take place in the upper layers of the earth's atmosphere, which can be reached by such balloon flights. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, which reaches up to 10 kilometers high, while contrails from aircraft occur at altitudes of around -50 degrees Celsius.

The experiment at the Albert Schweitzer School is a successful example of combining theory and practice in education, which both imparts knowledge and stimulates interest in natural sciences.

Further information about similar projects and the use of weather balloons for scientific purposes can be found on the website of East Hesse News and DLR.