Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
On 6 May 2026, the Compton College STEM Club launched four High-Altitude Balloons (HABs) in coordination with the FAA. The weather was clear and partly cloudy with light wind so launch conditions were good.
One test HAB was launched at 9:00 am followed by four student-launched HABs. Student HABs were launched one every half hour starting at 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The four STEM students who launched HABs each earned an Amateur Radio technician class license.
These smaller HABs each required 10 cubic feet of helium to achieve a total target lift of 100 grams. Although small, the 100 g lift was sufficient for each HAB to carry a repurposed NOAA Radiosonde. The Radiosonde's firmware was modified to transmit its telemetry using Horus Binary on the 70cm amateur radio band.
Several amateur radio operators have set up stations to receive this "special" balloon telemetry using a Raspberry-Pi running project Horus software and a Software Defined Radio to receive and decode the signals. The data from these stations is then shared to the Amateur SondeHub at the amateur.sondehub.org website.
The onboard Radiosonde detects and transmits the HAB's GPS position, altitude, and other status data. Once on Amateur SondeHub, the data is available to the public and the HAB's position and status can be tracked in real time
The test HAB and the first three student-launched HABs all followed very similar flight paths. After launch from Compton College, they all continued to rise as they traveled southwest over the northwest end of Catalina Island. The HABs then turned east and flew to the southeast end of Catalina Island. They then resumed their southwesterly direction and finally burst off the southeast end of Catalina.
The fourth student-launched HAB initially followed a southwest flight path similar to the previous HABs' flight paths. However, since HAB 4 had lower free lift at launch it traveled at a lower altitude with different wind currents, it continued southwest past Catalina to San Clemente Island. After passing San Clemente, it made an eastward turn similar to the previous HABs. Contact was lost at that point as it was still climbing.
The final chart shows a wide view of the flight paths and last points of contact for the test HAB and four student-launched HABs.
Credits:
Student HAB Launchers:
- Andrea Gonzalez KO6NIX
- Jose Quintero KO6NHW
- Omar Elizalde KO6NKD
- Marvin Diaz KO6NKZ
Student Launch Supporters:
- Victor Araujo
- Emmanuel Beltran
- Diego Macanchi
Project Supporters:
- Brian Johnson AB6UI – Professional Expert & HAB Advisor
- Kent Schwitkis – STEM Club Advisor
- Lorena Fonseca – STEM Club Advisor
- Dennis Masias – MESA Program Specialist
Providers of Radiosondes:
- David WD6DRI
- Randy KQ6RS
Video Camera:
- Bob Kosmala KO6HBU
Video Editing:
- Steve Sheridan KM6IQO
We would like to thank our administrative supporters for their continued support:
- Dean of Student Learning, Gerson Valle
- STEM Division Chair, Dr. Jose Villalobos
- Vice President of Academic Affairs, Sheri Berger, Ed.D.
Funding for the High Altitude Balloon Project was provided through the 2025–2026 Annual Planning Cycle.
Video Production: Steve Sheridan
Music:
"Final Girl" by Jeremy Blake
"Eternal Garden" by Dan Henig
This video is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
On 6 May 2026, the Compton College STEM Club launched four High-Altitude Balloons (HABs) in coordination with the FAA. The weather was clear and partly cloudy with light wind so launch conditions were good.
One test HAB was launched at 9:00 am followed by four student-launched HABs. Student HABs were launched one every half hour starting at 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. The four STEM students who launched HABs each earned an Amateur Radio technician class license.
These smaller HABs each required 10 cubic feet of helium to achieve a total target lift of 100 grams. Although small, the 100 g lift was sufficient for each HAB to carry a repurposed NOAA Radiosonde. The Radiosonde's firmware was modified to transmit its telemetry using Horus Binary on the 70cm amateur radio band.
Several amateur radio operators have set up stations to receive this "special" balloon telemetry using a Raspberry-Pi running project Horus software and a Software Defined Radio to receive and decode the signals. The data from these stations is then shared to the Amateur SondeHub at the amateur.sondehub.org website.
The onboard Radiosonde detects and transmits the HAB's GPS position, altitude, and other status data. Once on Amateur SondeHub, the data is available to the public and the HAB's position and status can be tracked in real time
The test HAB and the first three student-launched HABs all followed very similar flight paths. After launch from Compton College, they all continued to rise as they traveled southwest over the northwest end of Catalina Island. The HABs then turned east and flew to the southeast end of Catalina Island. They then resumed their southwesterly direction and finally burst off the southeast end of Catalina.
The fourth student-launched HAB initially followed a southwest flight path similar to the previous HABs' flight paths. However, since HAB 4 had lower free lift at launch it traveled at a lower altitude with different wind currents, it continued southwest past Catalina to San Clemente Island. After passing San Clemente, it made an eastward turn similar to the previous HABs. Contact was lost at that point as it was still climbing.
The final chart shows a wide view of the flight paths and last points of contact for the test HAB and four student-launched HABs.
Credits:
Student HAB Launchers:
- Andrea Gonzalez KO6NIX
- Jose Quintero KO6NHW
- Omar Elizalde KO6NKD
- Marvin Diaz KO6NKZ
Student Launch Supporters:
- Victor Araujo
- Emmanuel Beltran
- Diego Macanchi
Project Supporters:
- Brian Johnson AB6UI – Professional Expert & HAB Advisor
- Kent Schwitkis – STEM Club Advisor
- Lorena Fonseca – STEM Club Advisor
- Dennis Masias – MESA Program Specialist
Providers of Radiosondes:
- David WD6DRI
- Randy KQ6RS
Video Camera:
- Bob Kosmala KO6HBU
Video Editing:
- Steve Sheridan KM6IQO
We would like to thank our administrative supporters for their continued support:
- Dean of Student Learning, Gerson Valle
- STEM Division Chair, Dr. Jose Villalobos
- Vice President of Academic Affairs, Sheri Berger, Ed.D.
Funding for the High Altitude Balloon Project was provided through the 2025–2026 Annual Planning Cycle.
Video Production: Steve Sheridan
Music:
"Final Girl" by Jeremy Blake
"Eternal Garden" by Dan Henig
This video is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
