Lost Weather Balloon Payload (Reward!)

[mrhladek]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm a 5th grade science teacher and my class successfully completed our second annual weather balloon project last week. Our launch went perfectly and for the first 20 minutes of the flight we received two GPS signals from our SPOT GPS tracking device. Between 20-30 minutes however (signals scheduled to send every 10 min) we lost contact with our balloon. This isn't unexpected, as after about 20k ft the SPOT will no longer send until back under that threshold. So with the little bit of data we do have it seems that the balloon was right on our flight path with a rate of ascent within the ideal range.

 

Based on our data and predictors, it looks like the payload should have parachuted down somewhere in the Accident/Grantsville, MD area around 7:00 PM last Monday (11/16/15) night. The reality is, however, it could be anywhere between Cheat Lake, the PA state line, and New Germany State Park, depending on the million or so other variables that could have come into play.

 

Anyone in these areas that is willing to take a shot in the dark, we're looking for a silver wrapped styrofoam cooler with bright green duct tape 'accents' attached to a bright orange and blue parachute. We have contact info attached and inside the payload. We're offering a $50 reward as well as endless gratitude from a bunch of bummed out 10 year olds (as well as a 30 year old kid/teacher).

 

Thanks so much and good luck guys!

 

-Luke

 

http://http://imgur.com/MWvXgGX[/img]

[Spatial Distortion]

Good luck, i hope you guys find it. Hopefully someone on here can assist.

I personally do not live in that area but posting on here is a good start.