Near space is the region of Earth's atmosphere that lies between 20 to 100 km (65,000 and 328,000 feet) above sea level, encompassing the stratosphere, mesosphere, and the lower thermosphere. It extends roughly from the Armstrong limit above which humans need a pressure suit to survive, up to the Kármán line where astrodynamics must take over from aerodynamics in order to achieve flight. Thus, near space is above where commercial airliners fly but below orbiting satellites.

The terms "near space" and "upper atmosphere" are generally considered synonymous. However, some sources distinguish between the two. Where such a distinction is made, only the layers closest to the Karman line are called near space, while only the remaining layers between the lower atmosphere and near space are called the upper atmosphere.

Here in the Diocese of Wollongong we want to launch a High Altitude Balloon to explore this mysterious part of the universe. 

However we need your help to determine what we will put on the balloon. This competition is designed to draw out what experiments you would like to be included in the DOW1 HAB.

We are looking for teams of 3 to 5 students who have a teacher who is willing to sponsor the entry. So you will need to organise yourselves, project manage the creation of the experiment and communicate your ideas via a blog that we can all read to follow your progress.

More than that, we will give you a kit containing an Arduino and sensors to help you make your experiment dream come true. 

The best, functioning and most interesting ideas will be put on the DOW1 and launched into space. 

If your experiment is included in the payload you will be offered a position in the flight crew that will launch and track the DOW1. You will then be given access to the data you have recorded in your experiment.

Things you may want to measure:

• Height
• GPS position
• Radiation
• UV index
• Temperature
• On Board Computer Battery Volts
• Digital Camera
• Pressure
• + whatever

So tell us:

1. What you want to measure
2. Why you want to measure it
3. How you will measure it

When you enter this competition we will give you a form to fill in so you can explain what your team proposes. 

We will then:

Send you a kit with an Arduino and sensors and then you can actually build, code and test your experiment before it flies. 

Teams may then have the opportunity to show off their plans and experiments and prototypes at the Spotlight on Technology 2016 Expo. Winners will be selected and from these we will establish the flight crew, ground control, tracking, telemetry and other functions we need to make a successful space flight.

Sound interesting? Then Sign Up today!

Click here to Enter...

Competition Resources