Wiltshire College and Avon Valley launch a balloon to the edge of space

The engineering enrichment project aimed to prove that blood boils at 64,000 feet, which is why astronauts wear spacesuits. Pupils simulated blood by keeping a vial of water at a 37C using a hot plate.

This collaboration followed a previous attempt from Wiltshire College in April, but this time tracking and retrieving the balloon was a success.

Read more: Salisbury students launch a balloon to the edge of space

On launch day (July 20) pupils from both schools gathered at Wiltshire College for final preparations and a full briefing. 

Pupils made adjustments to the payload, filled the glass vial with water, and inflated the balloon. By 11.15am everything was setup ready for the launch and the balloon was brought outside.

Watch the moment pupils let go of the balloon

Avon Valley Academy pupils operated a drone, filmed the launch and created a three-minute video. This was part of the challenge set by the project leader, Mark Ghinn.

The weather balloon reached 106,000 feet and was recovered from a farm in Longbridge Deverill by communicating with the on-board SIM card using a mobile phone network. 

George Herbert has just finished his first year of studying engineering at Wiltshire College. This was the first enrichment project he had been involved in, but it won't be his last. He told the Journal: "It has been really fun and we've all worked really hard.

"This is one project of many and it's been good to connect with another school.

"Maybe the next project will be something a bit more down to earth!"

Electronic engineering teacher Mark Ghinn, from Wiltshire College, lead the project but attributes the success to the pupils. He said: "I'm very proud of them. The students are inspired and for me that's the real measure of success.

"I tried to be hands off and make it pupil focused, they've done everything themselves."

Looking forward to future projects, Mr Ghinn's vision for Salisbury's engineering enrichment is to have local schools compete in an interschool challenge.

"It would be great to get 10 schools together and see who can fly the highest," added Mr Ghinn.

Electronic engineering teacher Mark Ghinn holding the uninflated latex balloon

Emma Carver, head of science at Avon Valley Academy, said: "We have not done this before so it's another step to improving out science department.

"The pupils have been an asset to the academy and great ambassadors."

A total of nine pupils from Avon Valley Academy were involved in the project, those in year nine included: Max Lee, Morgan Thompson, Jacob Fordham, and Daniel Trenwith. The year 10 pupils involved were: Alisha Wright, Kerlilliff Beckley-Hunt, Caerwyn Sabin-Rees, Maci Sleeman, and Billie Smith.

The seven pupils from Wiltshire College involved were: Ramy Almohtadi, Sid Burroughs, Owen Chant, Abbie Connor, George Herbert, Craig Taylor, and Jacob Booker.

Dion Petherick, 23, was involved in the Mr Ghinn's first launch at Combe Gibbet when he was an apprentice at QinetiQ and he was on-hand to offer guidance, but he said pupils hadn't needed much.

Mr Petherick said: "The tech has really improved. This new build is far more advanced and the pupils have learned from our launch.

"There's always room for improvement but the team has been really good."

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) were contacted and granted permission to fly alongside issuing a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) so other aircraft were aware of the location, size and ascent time of the balloon.

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