High-Altitude Balloon Team
We design and launch high-altitude balloon payloads to heights of over 70,000 feet. In addition to building the mechanical and electrical components required for launch, we also conduct flight data research and high-altitude engineering projects. Our 2-way satellite communication system enables us to receive data from the payload in real time while in flight, allowing us to maintain full connectivity and collect data from our on-board sensor suite, including temperature, pressure, harmful chemicals (VOCs), and humidity. This semester, we are working on a variety of engineering projects, including investigating the effects of high altitudes on solar cell efficiency, testing different materials for our payload, and improving our telecommunications technologies.
The PAC-wide application to join can be found here.
2024 co-directors: Alan Zhu (alzhu@seas.upenn.edu) and Meiling Mathur (meissimo@seas.upenn.edu)
Nov 2023: We launched our balloon in Lancaster, PA and chased it all the way to Elkton, MD.
Alan Zhu
Co-Director
Alan is a junior studying computer science and physics. I’m interested in SWE and research, particularly directed towards sustainability.
Meiling Mathur
Co-Director
Meiling is a sophomore studying Computer Science in Penn Engineering. She conducts high-altitude environmental research and develops software for the Flight Data and Research team. Meiling also enjoys taking road trips and is looking forward to driving the team to their next launch site this fall.
Maryam Ali
Former Co-Director
Leo Huang
Former Co-Director
Former co-director. Physics major with interests in history and philosophy.
Grace Ye
Project Lead
Grace is a sophomore studying Computer Science (and Cinema Studies) interested in SWE and medical applications of CS. She loves curling up on the sofa and binge watching c-dramas.
Kristine Huang
Project Lead
Natalie Reid
Project Lead
Devin Casano
Operations Lead
Devin is a junior studying political science as well as Earth and environmental science. Outside of PAC, Devin is actively involved in the Transfer Student Organization, Government and Politics Association, and Discentes, among others.
Chenyao Liu
Member
Chenyao is a sophomore studying Earth & Environmental Science. She’s interested in sustainability and environmental policy, as well as astronomy and photography!
Sofia Hedlund
Member
Sofia is a sophomore studying computer engineering and works on the Avionics team. She loves skiing, ice hockey, and hot pot!
Leo Barocas
Member
Leo is a sophomore studying mechanical engineering and applied mechanics. She loves to design and build all types of things, especially those that will my community.
Laura Gao
Member
Hi! I’m a sophomore studying electrical engineering and Wharton. I love cooking East Asian food, Olivia Rodrigo, and math proofs.
Sam Plesner
Member
Maria-Christina Nicolaides
Member
M-C is a sophomore studying computer science (and a bit of electrical engineering) and she’s on the Avionics team. She also likes reading sci-fi, especially in new cafes!
Layla Brooks
Member