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ASCEND PROGRAM LAUNCH PROGRESS, FALL 2022
"ASCEND!" (Aerospace STEM Challenges to Educate New Discoverers) is an Arizona Space Grant Consortium statewide Workforce Development program designed to involve undergraduate students from across Arizona in the full "design-build-fly-operate-analyze" cycle of a space mission. Across our state, student teams from The University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Glendale Community College, Pima Community College (NW), Central Arizona College (Signal Peak), Phoenix College, and Casa Grande Union High School, design and build small payloads for launch from high altitude weather balloons. Teams measure various atmospheric parameters as a function of altitude up to about 100,000 feet and some obtain a series of timed images of the Earth throughout the balloon's ascent to characterize surface features, cloud structure, and the Earth's curvature. Participation in this program is geared to complement regular classroom learning by offering direct hands-on immersion with the full mission cycle--something few NASA or aerospace industry scientists and engineers ever see through.
Student teams spent extra time this semester creating websites so that the general public can track their progress, they can share their research and results, and also as a recruitment tool for future ASCEND students. Check out their websites below to keep up-to-date with the program!
Arizona State University ASCEND: https://asuascend.weebly.com/
Central Arizona College ASCEND: https://sites.google.com/view/projectmejerias/enclosure
Glendale Community College "Sky High" ASCEND: https://rik2049707.wixsite.com/ascend-sky-high
Glendale Community College "Helios" ASCEND: https://helios2022.weebly.com/
Phoenix College Instagram: @PCAscend
