10/14/2025
High Altitude Balloon Launch – SUCCESS!
SPARK-CON 2025 ARRL Midwest Division Convention| Missouri State Fairgrounds
Saturday morning at the ARRL Midwest Division Convention — SPARK-CON 2025 — we had an incredible high-altitude balloon launch that turned heads and sparked curiosity!
This exciting event was a collaborative effort between the Sedalia-Pettis Amateur Radio Klub, the Civil Air Patrol, and the University of Missouri S&T, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results!
A great crowd gathered to watch the balloon setup, and many stayed to witness the awe-inspiring launch right from the fairgrounds. The balloon rose at about 1,200 ft/min, heading north-northwest before hooking southeast around 10,000 ft. As it climbed into the jet stream, we tracked it zooming along at 94 mph at around 54,000 feet — truly amazing!
Although tracking became spotty as it reached near-space altitudes, it was a thrill to follow its path live on the big screen inside our Emergency Communications Area at the Convention. Civil Air Patrol confirmed its last known location high above Missouri — near the edge of space!
The balloon eventually descended and made a graceful (if not leafy) landing in a tree deep in the Ozarks. Later that same day, its location was confirmed — and on Sunday, the recovery team successfully retrieved the entire payload, fully intact!
*** Mission: Accomplished. ***
This wouldn’t have been possible without the expert guidance and partnership of Missouri S&T — thank you for making this launch a full success!
To everyone who came out to watch, ask questions, and share in the excitement — thank you! Your enthusiasm and support made this moment special.
Stay tuned — another balloon launch is already in the works!
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