We were fortunate enough to observe the Maryland Space Grant Consortium's Balloon Payload Project's (MdSGC BPP's) Near Space Flight number 25 (NS-25) on Novermber 21, 2009.

Our host for the day, MdSGC BPP Program Manager Dru Ellsberry, explained their program in great detail and answered any and all of our many questions. This University of Maryland (UofM)team has developed a first rate program, which they should be quite proud of. Our representatives from SUNSBA included Robbie Auld and Maureen Nolan.

The flight originated from Clear Springs, Maryland at approximately 8:20 A.M. and the payloads were recoverd near York, Pennsylvania with touchdown at approximately 10:00 A.M.. It included payloads for both UofM and Morgan State as well as MdSGC BPP's nicely designed command modules (see pis below).

For many more details, including pictures and flight path, see MdSGC BPP's web site at NearSpace.net. In particular, notice the how good their prediction of the day's flight path.