Phase 1
Tethered Flight
Validate lift, payload weight, basic telemetry, ground handling, launch roles, and recovery practice.
Aug 2026
Build Scope
A real engineering program, built in phases.
Gateway Ascent starts with a controlled tethered launch and grows toward a full stratospheric mission. Each phase teaches students one layer of the system before the next layer is added.
Mission Objective
Design, build, test, launch, track, and recover a student-engineered payload capable of capturing the curve of the Earth from high altitude.
Readiness Priorities
- Keep launch events safe, supervised, and age-appropriate.
- Validate electronics on the ground before each flight.
- Make every milestone observable through data, photos, or recovery.
- Give students meaningful ownership of design decisions.
1
Current build phase
300-600
First target altitude in feet
15+
Student engineers
2026
First launch window
System Stack
The payload is more than a balloon.
It is a complete mission system.
The first build emphasizes simple, reliable parts students can understand deeply before the program adds longer-range tracking and camera recovery.
Payload
Flight Computer
Arduino-class microcontroller, sensor wiring, battery management, and a structured preflight checklist.
Telemetry
LoRa Radio Link
Live data downlink for altitude, pressure, temperature, signal strength, and mission timing.
Ground
Base Station
Laptop-connected receiver, launch-day data display, logging, and post-flight review material.
Structure
Payload Frame
Lightweight enclosure, tiedown points, foam insulation, strain relief, and field-serviceable access.
Recovery
Tracking Plan
Ground rules for tethered recovery first, then GPS, mapping, and free-flight chase procedures later.
Evidence
Camera Mission
Photo and video capture introduced after the core flight and recovery systems have proven reliable.
Milestones
A roadmap students can build, test, and explain.
Phase 2
First Free Flight
Release a simple payload, test recovery workflow, and compare predicted ascent data against actual data.
~5,000 ft
Phase 3
Camera + GPS
Add camera capture and location tracking so students can recover visible mission evidence.
~15,000 ft
Phase 4
Full Telemetry
Expand the data stack with sensor logging, live display, stronger field procedures, and redundant checks.
~30,000 ft
Flagship
Edge-of-Space Photo
Fly the complete system high enough to capture the image that started the whole mission.
~50,000 ft
Parts List
Buy the core gear once. Replace flight supplies as needed.
The Phase 1 build separates durable equipment from supplies that get used up across multiple test flights. This keeps the manifest clear for families, sponsors, and coaches.
| Part | Use |
|---|---|
| Fixed - buy once | |
| LoRa-capable microcontroller boards with screens | One board flies in the payload to transmit telemetry, and one serves as the ground station receiver. |
| Spare development board | Extra board for coding, testing, troubleshooting, and student practice without risking the flight hardware. |
| Environmental sensor module | Measures temperature, pressure, and humidity for live telemetry and post-flight review. |
| Action camera | Records the tethered flight and gives students visual evidence to evaluate after launch day. |
| GPS module | Optional but recommended for testing coordinate tracking before future free-flight missions. |
| Rated tether line | Strong line for keeping the Phase 1 balloon safely tethered to the ground. |
| Ground anchor hardware | Heavy-duty anchors and attachment hardware for securing the tether line during launch operations. |
| Consumables - multiple | |
| LiPo batteries | 3.7V batteries with appropriate connectors for powering microcontrollers and sensors. |
| Foam cooler payload enclosure | Protects and insulates electronics; replace or refresh when cut, damaged, or redesigned. |
| Mounting hardware | Velcro, fasteners, tape, labels, and other small hardware for securing parts inside the payload. |
| Wiring and connectors | Lead wires, jumpers, connectors, and spares used during builds, repairs, and student testing. |
| Weatherproofing materials | Materials for protecting the enclosure and exposed components from field conditions. |
| Weather balloon | Latex high-altitude balloon used for each launch or major test. |
| Helium gas | Local helium supply for inflating the balloon on launch day. |
Want to fund a mission milestone?
Every contribution moves a real student-built system closer to launch day, data recovery, and the photo of the Earth.