#ServetVI: launches at schools with students aged 14 to 19

Prepare your scientific project in the classroom and set it on its way to the stratosphere with our help. If you are passionate about astronautics, technology, programming or scientific projects, send us your proposal and become part of the ten experiments chosen.

What is #ServetVI in the classroom?

Servet is a science and outreach project in which a series of near-space experiments are carried out. These experiments are launched on sounding balloons to the stratosphere and designed by citizens, whether in schools, associations or as individuals, who take the initiative in setting and carrying out their own scientific challenge.

In Servet VI, 10 experiments with their respective missions will be launched. The launch will take place in the area around Zaragoza, and the exact place will not be known until the days before the launch.

Servet VI is aimed at schools, associations or after-school groups made up of students enrolled in secondary schools, aged between 14 and 19.

What is a sounding balloon?

A sounding balloon is a large latex balloon inflated with about 4,000 litres of helium, from which various scientific equipment hangs (the fairground balloons that float away into the sky if you let go of them are also filled with this gas). At ground level, helium is about seven times less dense (~0.1786 kg/m3) than the surrounding air (~1.225 kg/m3), which produces a vertical thrust able to lift, in our case, about 2.3 kg of weight (the legal limit for being considered a light balloon), with an average ascent speed of about 5 m/s.

However, the ascent is not endless. As the balloon rises through the stratosphere, the density of the air around it decreases, which makes the balloon grow in size until, unable to withstand the tension, it bursts at about 35,000 metres in altitude, close to space.

From there, a dizzying descent begins for the capsules the sounding balloon was carrying. Although it is a parachute-assisted descent, speeds of up to 210 km/h are recorded in the first few seconds because of the low density of the surrounding air. Little by little, as it descends, the parachute offers more and more resistance, slowing the capsules to a terminal speed of 3 m/s, which allows them to land, though not without taking a certain knock.

Each balloon can carry between one and six capsules. Throughout the mission various scientific experiments are carried out and data are collected, which can either be transmitted in real time or processed when the capsules are recovered after returning to the ground.

How to take part in #SERVETVI?

PRE-REGISTRATION PHASE (CLOSED)

Registration for all teams wishing to take part is done through this link, before the stated date. Teams from all the Autonomous Communities may register.

For a team of students to be accepted, it must meet the following conditions:

1. Each team must be made up of students aged between 14 and 19. The team can have as many members as desired, but the number of participants at the launch event will be limited according to capacity.
2. Students must be enrolled in a secondary school.
3. Each team must be supervised by a teacher or mentor (Team Leader) who will follow the team’s technical progress, help and advise the group and act as the contact person between the team and the organisation. This responsible teacher must be available to accompany the team on the launch campaign.

Interested schools must fill in a short form showing their interest in taking part in the project.

SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT (CLOSED)

Registered teams must submit, by 15 December, a report specifying the STEAM project to be carried out, the team members and all relevant information for assessing the proposal. Teams may be interviewed online to clarify specific aspects of their proposal. The selected teams will be announced before Christmas.

You can download the report template at this link.

The selected teams must confirm their acceptance.

PROJECT MONITORING PHASE

From January to April a series of webinars, interviews and possible intermediate tests will be held to monitor the projects and to mentor on subjects related to data capture and processing and to writing the report.

LAUNCH PHASE

Before the launch an extended report of the application must be submitted, describing the experiment to be launched and the expected results (description of the capsule, contingency plan, cost study, achievements in publicising the project, sponsors, etc.).

The organisation will provide the participating teams with LoRaWAN network coverage through The Things Network and with basic telemetry such as the balloon’s position (lat., long. and alt.), outside temperature and barometric pressure.

The capsules with the experiments must be completed one week before the scheduled launch date in case the event cannot be held in person.

Two team members and the tutor must attend the in-person launch. Travel from the place of origin to Zaragoza must be covered by the team.

Afterwards the report will be completed with chapters on the analysis of the results obtained at the launch and/or later, and the conclusions of the project.

Project calendar

Objectives of #SERVETVI

Through the Servet project the participating teams go through all the phases of a real space project, from choosing the mission objectives to designing the probe, integrating components, checking the system, preparing the launch and analysing the data obtained. Throughout this process, students:

• Learn in a hands-on way
• Become familiar with the research methodology usually used in real-life scientific and technical professions
• Acquire and/or reinforce basic knowledge of technology, physics and programming
• Strengthen their social skills, seeing the importance of coordination and teamwork
• Boost their communication skills.
• Foster their self-critical spirit, creativity and motivation to learn

General participation requirements

The hardware and the mission must be designed following these requirements and restrictions:

1. All the components of the probe must fit inside a capsule and be able to be tied to the balloon’s flight train. If the event has to be held remotely, the whole experiment must be easy to pack for sending by post.
2. The mass of the capsule must be less than 300 grams (except in specific cases justified and accepted by the organisation)
3. The use of explosives, detonators, pyrotechnics and flammable or hazardous materials is strictly forbidden. All materials used must guarantee the safety of personnel, equipment and the environment. If in doubt, teams will be asked for the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
4. The probe’s electrical power must come from batteries (and/or solar panels). Systems must be prepared to stay switched on for four hours in a row and must be suitably insulated from the cold.
5. The capsule must be ready to fly on arrival at the launch campaign. The organisation will be allowed to start the experiment if the event has to be remote. The probe must have a perfectly accessible main power switch. If cameras or other devices are carried, the organisation must be able to start them easily. The battery must be accessible so that it can be changed or recharged easily if necessary.
6. The capsule must be able to withstand a certain impact against the ground on landing, similar to being dropped from a first- or second-floor window (evidence of this will be requested in the report before the launch).
7. If there are sponsors, all items obtained through them must be specified in the budget at their real market price.
8. The results must be published openly.