Students and faculty from nine Louisiana universities and one high school gathered at NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, Texas, this May to conduct high-altitude research. The event marked the latest installment of the Louisiana Aerospace Catalyst Experiences for Students (LaACES) program, a collaborative initiative between the facility and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium.
On May 19, the program successfully executed its 74th and 75th balloon launches. The mission involved 11 distinct payloads designed to study a variety of scientific phenomena, including atmospheric conditions, cosmic ray detection, solar cell efficiency, and stratospheric wind patterns. The instruments reached near-space altitudes before being recovered approximately 60 miles north of the launch site near Ben Wheeler, Texas.
The student teams followed a rigorous engineering lifecycle throughout the academic year, mirroring the professional standards used by NASA. Before arriving in Texas, participants underwent multiple design reviews to ensure their equipment was flight-ready. Once on-site, students worked alongside facility personnel to manage launch operations, weather monitoring, and payload tracking.
"We enjoy being able to support the students’ launches here and hope to help them cultivate a love for ballooning," said Hugo Franco, operations manager at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility. For the students, the experience provided a practical look at the complexities of aerospace research. Louisiana State University student Savannah Matlock noted that seeing the post-flight data validate their research goals made the months of preparation rewarding.
Since its inception, LaACES has supported more than 500 students and facilitated over 60 balloon flights. Funded by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship program, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world aerospace operations, preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers for careers in the field.
Source: NASA
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