What is Near Space?

Near space is that region of the atmosphere above 60,000 feet but below the accepted altitude of space, 328,000 feet. These altitudes make near space far more like earth orbit than the surface of the earth. Air pressure in near space reaches 99% of a vacuum or better. Air temperatures drop to a low of -60 degrees F or colder. Cosmic radiation is over 100 times greater than at sea level. Near space is located within the ozone layer and therefore is an environment of increased damaging ultraviolet radiation. Near space is reached by helium or hydrogen-filled weather balloons. Since it is far less expensive to send payloads into near space than earth orbit, organizations like NASA will send new designs into near space first, as a test.

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For information about being a sponsor for the 2010 Great Plains Super Launch please contact; Zack Clobes

GPSL 2010 Schedule

Thursday, July 22 --

6:30 - Dinner at Ken's Pizza

Friday, July 23 --

8:30 - Doors open at Cosmosphere to presenters/organizers only.

9:00 - Doors open to general public. A light breakfast and coffee will be available.

9:15 - Greetings and Introductions

9:30 - Session: "Balloon Flight Ionizing Radiation Estimate" by Jim Langsted from EOSS

10:00 - Session: "High Resolution Balloon Borne Spectrometer" by Jeff Daily from Taylor University

10:45 - Break

11:00 - Session: "ARBONET: Progress of Experiments in Communications and Control" by Michael Willett and Doug Loughmiller from ARBONET

11:45 - Lunch: Catered from the best BBQ joint in the midwest (www.roysbbq.com)

12:30 - Session: "Pre-burst Balloon Chaos by Howard Brooks from DePauw University

1:00 - Session: "Cosmic Rays" by Paul Verhage from NearSys

1:30 - Session: "Tracking Transmitters and Long Duration Flight" by Bill Brown

2:15 - Break

2:30 - Round Table: "Forming a National Balloon Organization" moderated by Zack Clobes from Project: Traveler

3:45 - Session: "Using UI-View for Balloons" by Brian Short

4:30 - Weather and Pre-flight Briefing

5:00 - BSA September Launch Team Meeting (you know who you are).

6:30pm - Dinner at Anchor Inn

Saturday, July 24 --

7:30am GPSL Balloon Flight

TBA Post-flight debriefing

6:30pm Victory Dinner @ Montana Mikes on East 30th

Sunday, July 25 --

Weather Day Launch

Departure