SDG4
NCKU Institute of Space Systems Engineering Launches Exciting Weather Balloon Mission with Interdisciplinary Collaboration
After a semester of meticulous planning, the Institute of Space Systems Engineering at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) held its annual weather balloon mission on December 28 at the Guiren Campus. For the first time, students from National Tainan First Senior High School, National Nanke International Experimental High School, and National Tainan Second Senior High School were invited to join the event. Four weather balloon missions passed readiness reviews and obtained approvals from military and aviation authorities. Equipped with experimental instruments, the balloons ascended to the stratosphere, reaching altitudes of 25 to 30 kilometers before eventually descending into the Pacific Ocean, exemplifying a perfect blend of academic exploration and practical execution.
Associate Director Chih-Yung Wu highlighted the unique advantages of weather balloons as a cost-effective and flexible platform for space experiments. Unlike costly satellite and rocket missions that require years of preparation, weather balloons provide a safe, economical, and agile alternative with shorter mission cycles. Wu expressed gratitude for the university’s support in providing resources and funding, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in understanding the complexities of space missions. This year’s mission involved four groups of 5–6 master’s students each, continuing the tradition of using weather balloons as an educational tool. For the first time, high school students were invited to observe and participate, offering them a closer look at the preparation and execution of such missions.
The weather balloons ascended beyond the typical altitude of commercial aircraft (10 kilometers), traveling eastward for 1–3 hours before landing in the Pacific Ocean. Associate Director Wu emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, noting that although weather balloons are less costly than satellites, every launch must be perfectly executed to ensure success. This one-shot opportunity taught students the value of precision and dedication in mission planning.
Master’s student Huang explained how weather balloons could be used as temporary communication towers during disasters, such as providing communication support when typhoons damage infrastructure. Master’s student Su described using magnetometers to measure magnetic field variations and photometers to collect ultraviolet data at different altitudes, aiming to establish an ozone model.
Student Lee (Tainan First High School, Astronomy Club) praised the creativity of the student projects, especially the idea of using weather balloons to solve real-life problems like communication during natural disasters. He expressed amazement at how textbook knowledge was brought to life.
Teacher Tsai (National Nanke International Experimental High School) noted the importance of systematic learning for students, from mission objectives to execution, and commended the meticulous preparation processes observed onsite.
Teacher Tu (National Tainan Second Senior High School) hoped the hands-on experience would inspire students and deepen their understanding of the connection between experimental goals and practical execution.
Teacher Chen (National Tainan First Senior High School) expressed the desire for more collaboration opportunities with NCKU, as such experiences allow students interested in aerospace to appreciate the challenges and dedication behind scientific work.
Professor Bing-Chih Chen from NCKU’s Department of Physics highlighted that the mission followed rigorous standards similar to formal space missions. Students participated in every stage, from defining requirements and designing systems to building, testing, and verifying their work. This approach helped bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, enhancing problem-solving skills and fostering professional expertise in space systems engineering.
The event also featured the students taking on key roles such as mission commanders, performing tasks like flight path analysis, ground station development, and post-flight data analysis. This hands-on experience showcased the immense potential of weather balloons as a teaching and research tool while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Established in the 2023 academic year, NCKU’s Institute of Space Systems Engineering enrolls 15 master’s students annually, focusing on developing interdisciplinary talent with strong practical skills. The “Space Mission and System Design”course leverages the university’s resources to guide students through mission planning and management while strengthening industry collaborations. With over a decade of experience, NCKU has built a robust foundation in space systems engineering education, setting a new benchmark for Taiwan’s space science research and talent cultivation. The university hopes to inspire students’ interest in aerospace and attract new talent to the field, further driving innovation and excellence in Taiwan’s space industry.
Associate Director Chih-Yung Wu highlighted the unique advantages of weather balloons as a cost-effective and flexible platform for space experiments. Unlike costly satellite and rocket missions that require years of preparation, weather balloons provide a safe, economical, and agile alternative with shorter mission cycles. Wu expressed gratitude for the university’s support in providing resources and funding, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in understanding the complexities of space missions. This year’s mission involved four groups of 5–6 master’s students each, continuing the tradition of using weather balloons as an educational tool. For the first time, high school students were invited to observe and participate, offering them a closer look at the preparation and execution of such missions.
The weather balloons ascended beyond the typical altitude of commercial aircraft (10 kilometers), traveling eastward for 1–3 hours before landing in the Pacific Ocean. Associate Director Wu emphasized the importance of thorough preparation, noting that although weather balloons are less costly than satellites, every launch must be perfectly executed to ensure success. This one-shot opportunity taught students the value of precision and dedication in mission planning.
Master’s student Huang explained how weather balloons could be used as temporary communication towers during disasters, such as providing communication support when typhoons damage infrastructure. Master’s student Su described using magnetometers to measure magnetic field variations and photometers to collect ultraviolet data at different altitudes, aiming to establish an ozone model.
Student Lee (Tainan First High School, Astronomy Club) praised the creativity of the student projects, especially the idea of using weather balloons to solve real-life problems like communication during natural disasters. He expressed amazement at how textbook knowledge was brought to life.
Teacher Tsai (National Nanke International Experimental High School) noted the importance of systematic learning for students, from mission objectives to execution, and commended the meticulous preparation processes observed onsite.
Teacher Tu (National Tainan Second Senior High School) hoped the hands-on experience would inspire students and deepen their understanding of the connection between experimental goals and practical execution.
Teacher Chen (National Tainan First Senior High School) expressed the desire for more collaboration opportunities with NCKU, as such experiences allow students interested in aerospace to appreciate the challenges and dedication behind scientific work.
Professor Bing-Chih Chen from NCKU’s Department of Physics highlighted that the mission followed rigorous standards similar to formal space missions. Students participated in every stage, from defining requirements and designing systems to building, testing, and verifying their work. This approach helped bridge theoretical knowledge with practical application, enhancing problem-solving skills and fostering professional expertise in space systems engineering.
The event also featured the students taking on key roles such as mission commanders, performing tasks like flight path analysis, ground station development, and post-flight data analysis. This hands-on experience showcased the immense potential of weather balloons as a teaching and research tool while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Established in the 2023 academic year, NCKU’s Institute of Space Systems Engineering enrolls 15 master’s students annually, focusing on developing interdisciplinary talent with strong practical skills. The “Space Mission and System Design”course leverages the university’s resources to guide students through mission planning and management while strengthening industry collaborations. With over a decade of experience, NCKU has built a robust foundation in space systems engineering education, setting a new benchmark for Taiwan’s space science research and talent cultivation. The university hopes to inspire students’ interest in aerospace and attract new talent to the field, further driving innovation and excellence in Taiwan’s space industry.
High school students visited a weather balloon launch mission and were thrilled to see how the concepts from their textbooks could be applied in real-life practice.
Master's students were divided into four groups of 5–6 members each to design different weather balloon missions.
After a semester of meticulous planning and effort, the Institute of Space Systems Engineering at National Cheng Kung University held its annual weather balloon launch mission today (28th) at NCKU's Guiren Campus.
The preparations for the weather balloon launch were intricate and demanding, requiring meticulous attention to detail before liftoff.
The weather balloon ascends to the stratosphere, reaching an altitude of 25 to 30 kilometers. It travels eastward for 1 to 3 hours before descending into the Pacific Ocean.
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