Solar Eclipse Balloon Intercollegiate Challenge

Pre-Announcement of
NASA’s
Minnesota Space Grant Consortium
Solar Eclipse Balloon
Intercollegiate Challenge

2022-2023
More details September 2022

In the 2022-2023 school year the Minnesota Space Grant Consortium will run an Eclipse-Ballooning Payload Intercollegiate Challenge.

Challenge: Propose then develop a stratospheric spacecraft (AKA a “payload”) to study aspects of a solar eclipse, to be test flown (above Minnesota) on April 8, 2023, one year in advance of the 2024 eclipse. Rain (or snow!) or shine!

 

The path of totality for the solar eclipse crossing North America on April 8, 2024.

 

Top Prize: The winning payload will be carried on a Minnesota Space Grant Consortium stratospheric balloon flight into the path of totality during the actual eclipse on April 8, 2024. Members of the winning team may travel too ($ not part of the prize).

An eclipse shadow as seen from a Minnesota Space Grant Consortium stratospheric balloon flight in August 2017.