Students Conduct Ozonesonde Airborne Field Research
As part of NASA’s Student Airborne Research Program (SARP), students prepared and launched a large balloon carrying an ozonesonde over the Texas Gulf Coast. The launch took place despite strong gusts that made holding the balloon difficult.
An ozonesonde is a scientific instrument that measures ozone concentration and other atmospheric parameters during its ascent. The data collected help scientists profile the ozone layer and study atmospheric chemistry and climate processes.
The students were responsible for inflating the balloon, attaching the ozonesonde, monitoring the ascent, and tracking the flight path. They worked closely with NASA mentors, gaining hands‑on experience in experiment design, execution, and data collection.
The successful launch demonstrated that students can conduct complex scientific experiments under real‑world conditions. The gathered data will be analyzed to improve understanding of atmospheric dynamics, particularly ozone variability and its impact on air quality and climate.
This flight marked the conclusion of the summer session of SARP, which ended on July 27. Throughout the program, participants acquired practical skills in airborne research, collaborated with NASA scientists, and strengthened their prospects for future careers in space and Earth science.