MARSBalloon is a free project open to all UK schools that launches student Mars science experiments on high altitude balloons 30km up into Earth’s atmosphere.

At this altitude the conditions of gas pressure, temperature and radiation are very similar to the surface of Mars; making it an ideal testing ground for trying out anything that humans or robots might be doing on Mars in the future.

 
Teachers can register now for our next flight where we plan to launch up to 100 student experiments; each of which should fit into a kinder egg toy capsule. After the flight the experiment capsules will be returned to the schools for analysis by the students.

This project can be run within a variety of STEM subject lessons or after school clubs and taking part will help your students to:

learn more about the environment of Mars and its future exploration

work as a group to formulate, design, build and analyse the results of a real Mars science experiment

consider careers in UK space and other STEM industries.

This project is run by space engineers from Thales Alenia Space UK and funded by Thales UK for the purpose of engaging more students into high tech engineering and ground-breaking science.

There is no cost to take part in the project other than that of experiment materials and postage. Teachers can find out more and register their class or club for free at www.marsballoon.com

To see footage of the previous launch click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvBxVCYyaXk