BLUE JAY 2024

Developed by B2Space / Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio

Balloon launched on 9/10/2024, from Virgen del Camino Airport, León, Spain

Purpose of the flight and payload description

The flight was performed under the BLUE JAY inititaive by B2Space an UK-based firm that provides balloon launch services for Universities and private customers. The BLUE JAY program engages with universities worldwide to provide students with unique opportunities to learn, develop their skills, fly and test their experiments in near space.

The objective of the program is that, through a semester of the academic year, the students will work towards designing a CubeSat to perform a mission of their choice (earth observation, environment control, communications, etc.), build the experiment and perform ground tests of the equipment and finally fly their CubeSat in a Stratospheric flight at around 30 km of altitude performed by B2Space. In the image at left we can see the flight gondola with all the experiments installed (Click to enlarge).

The main cargo on board belonged to the Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio, which participated with the UAX-4 micro-satellite, which has sensors to carry out an environmental examination and to compare data from previous years, in order to analyse the evolution of climate change. In addition, it was equipped with a camera that helps monitor crop fields in the area.

Additionally, the mission has served as a demonstration of a new altitude control system through a valve and ballast. With this, B2Space increases its control capacity over the balloon, allowing it to operate in a stable altitude zone. This system is key for the company, as it would provide capabilities that would allow it to carry out more operations in areas such as fire prevention, cartographic mapping or support in emergency situations, among many other uses.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 9/10/2024
Launch site: Virgen del Camino Airport, León, Spain  
Balloon launched by: B2Space
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 9/10/2024

External references

Images of the mission

         

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