On 18/2/2022, at the Radiation Station of the Department of Meteorology in Athalassa, the students of the English School PASKAL Larnaca, attempted to break a world record for sending a microsatellite with the code name "PICO" to an altitude of over 147.648 feet for image and video capture.
The event was organised by the non-profit organisation "Cyprus Space Foundation" and supported by the Department of Meteorology and the Centre of Excellence "Eratosthenes" of the Cyprus University of Technology - CUT. Around 2000 students had the opportunity to watch their experiments reach altitudes beyond the height of the tropopause.
The first attempt of the explorers, male and female students, took place in early January when their microsatellite reached 100,000 feet sending back to the Athalassa Radio Station live data and high definition images.
The second attempt of the explorers took place on 18 February 2022 and during this attempt the microsatellite reached 125,000 feet.
The second attempt of the explorers took place on 18 February 2022 and during this attempt the microsatellite reached 125,000 feet. At that altitude there was a very strong wind current, causing the microsatellite's solar power supplies to puncture the balloon, stop its ascent and begin its free fall with the help of a parachute.
The team of students, space explorers, will attempt to break the world record for the third time in the next five months.
The Department of Meteorology provided expertise for the release and lift of the microsatellite, and provided information on the prevailing meteorological conditions at each point along the route. The Department wishes every success in the next attempt to break the world record.
The explorers and their visionary professor, Mr. Elpidophoros Anastasiou, are to be congratulated for his effort, which inspires young explorers.
(EK/IK)
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