University of Birmingham
Gemini: Stratospheric Balloon Project
// Gemini 1 - March 2015 Gemini 2 - April 2016
Gemini 2 flight a complete success!
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Gemini 1 & 2 complete!
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Check out our Canvas site for all the results and info on how to organise your own launches.
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Gemini: Stratospheric Balloon Project
Reaching the edge of space.
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What is the Gemini: Stratospheric Balloon Project?
The project consisted of two high altitude weather balloons, each 3 metres in diameter, which successfully carried student created payloads to above 30km in altitude.
Both Gemini 1 and Gemini 2 launched sucessfully!
Who took part?
To take part in the project all you needed was to be a student at the University of Birmingham. Undergrads, Masters students and PhD students were all welcome to register. One of the primary aims of the project was is to improve the innovation and collaboration skills of those involved. Check out the payload pages of this website to see which experiments flew.
What were the aims of the project?
The project provided students with a ride to the upper edge of the atmosphere for their payloads. In the process we improved their innovation and collaboration skills throughout the project and at group sessions.
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How do I get involved?
We have now successfully completed the Gemini campaign. If you still want to get involved look out for future projects at the University of Birmingham. Follow our twitter and join the facebook group too to stay up to date.
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What is a payload?
Anything. So long as the payload follows the guidelines provided, it could consist of anything. A camera to take photos, an art project that makes use of the near vacuum environment or even a radiation sensor to measure cosmic rays. It was completely up to you!
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How was the project funded? And was there any money for the student payloads?
The balloon and tracking system was fully funded and was be taken care of by the Gemini team. The funding was generously donated by the Educational Enhancement and Alumni Impact funds. The funding also included two £100 honorariums for each flight to be split between participating students.