Students and faculty from across Louisiana gathered at NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, Texas, this spring to conduct high-altitude research. The initiative, part of the Louisiana Aerospace Catalyst Experiences for Students (LaACES) program, provides undergraduates and high school students with hands-on experience in aerospace engineering and scientific ballooning.
On May 19, 2026, the program achieved its 74th and 75th launches. The campaign featured 11 distinct payloads developed by teams from Louisiana State University, Northwestern State, Southeastern Louisiana State, McNeese State, Loyola University, Southern University, and St. Joseph’s Academy. These experiments focused on a variety of scientific fields, including cosmic ray detection, atmospheric science, solar cell efficiency, and stratospheric wind analysis.
The student teams followed a rigorous engineering lifecycle, participating in design reviews that mirrored professional NASA standards before arriving in Texas. At the facility, students worked alongside NASA personnel to prepare the balloons and manage launch operations. Hugo Franco, operations manager at the facility, noted that the team enjoys supporting these launches and hopes to foster a lasting interest in the field among participants.
The two flight trains reached near-space altitudes before being recovered approximately 60 miles north of the launch site. Following the flights, students analyzed their collected data and presented their findings to mentors and engineers. For many participants, the successful recovery and data validation served as a culmination of months of technical preparation.
Supported by NASA’s National Space Grant College and Fellowship program and the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium, LaACES has facilitated over 60 balloon flights and supported more than 500 students since its inception. The program aims to bridge the gap between academic study and professional aerospace operations, helping to cultivate the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Source: NASA
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