Earlier this week our pupils watched on as a group of scientists from Year 7 and 8 worked alongside the Southampton University Spaceflight Society to launch a high-altitude weather ballon with our very own Bradfield Bear tagging along for the ride. Preparations had been made during our October STEAM day and Mrs Robinson obtained the necessary permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority to enable a safe launch. The weather was monitored to ensure the balloon did not head out into the English Channel and on the 10^th November we had lift off.

The high-altitude balloon is filled with helium and expands as it rises. The balloon is designed to enter the Earth’s stratosphere and it was expected to reach a height of 30km above Earth. As it reaches its peak altitude the balloon bursts and the parachute deploys bringing the tracking equipment back to terra firma. The balloon’s progress is monitored using an on-board GPS tracker and the Southampton team follow this to retrieve the equipment.

Bradfield Bear was launched into the stratosphere at 12.30pm on Monday with his new found friend, Bill the Badger, the Southampton mascot. We were pleased to hear that the balloon touched down near High Wycombe later on Monday afternoon. What a fantastic way to bring science and technology to life here at Walhampton.