Registrations for the MARSBalloon project have now opened and Andrew is encouraging local secondary and primary pupils to take part.
Andrew explains, "This project is designed to give young people practical experience of designing and testing things to go into space that could one day be destined for Mars.
"Thales Alenia Space’s MARSBalloon team will launch a high altitude balloon to an altitude of 30km, more than twice the height of commercial airliners, where they will be above 99% of Earth’s atmosphere.
"Students can work to together to create Mars experiments that fit inside a small egg shaped capsule, which you post to Thales Alenia Space so they can include them in the launch. Along the way they will experience conditions very similar to the surface of Mars including temperatures of -50°C, pressures 1/100th that of sea level and an increased radiation dose.
"It is open to secondary and primary age pupils all across the UK and there is no cost to take part in the project other than that of experiment materials and postage.
"The deadline for registration is 1st April 2022 with the launch of the balloon in early June. "
Find out more about the Mars Balloon experiment and download the information pack here: https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/futuremartians
