Thales Alenia Space have been in touch about their annual MARSBalloon programme, which is open to primary and secondary school pupils. Their programme gives students hands-on experience designing and testing objects that could one day be destined for Mars. The MARSBalloon team will launch a high-altitude balloon to above 99% of the Earth’s atmosphere – in conditions similar to the surface of Mars - and students can work to create experiments to be included in the launch. This will allow students to test the response of electronics, plants, and even food, to conditions outside a future Mars base, helping future space explorers to prepare for these conditions.
The deadline for registration is the 8th March 2024, with the balloon’s launch in late May or early June. This is a fantastic programme that will inspire students to pursue STEM, and with no participation costs beyond materials and postage, why not get involved? Teachers can find out more, here: http://tinyurl.com/mvcfjhzn.