Schoolgirls’ weather balloon set to soar to edge of space

Members of the Astrogazers club from Croydon High School for Girls will launch a weather balloon at Bath - University of Bath experts supporting launch to encourage STEM take-up among girls A group of schoolgirls are set to launch a balloon that could reach the edge of space with the help of experts from the University of Bath. The 10 - 16-year-olds from Croydon High School for Girls will launch a meteorological balloon that should reach an altitude of 36,000 metres (36km) from the University campus on Friday 30 June. Professor Cathryn Mitchell and Dr Robert Watson, experts in space and atmospheric physics based at the University, have helped the group prepare for the launch and to gain approval from the Civil Aviation Authority. The balloon will contain equipment including cameras, data loggers, GPS trackers and experiments that will be used to help the pupils carry out tests to understand how different materials respond to the atmospheric conditions. The balloon, similar to those used by organisations like the Met Office, measures a few metres across and will parachute back to earth following its ascent. A series of mementos, which the group will also be able to keep following the flight, will also make the journey. Arabi Karteepan, Head of Physics at Croydon High School for Girls, started the Astrogazers club in 2021 to encourage girls to pursue their interest in physics, engineering, and space related careers.