Pico Balloon KD9UQB was launched on November 24th 2022 from Neumayer Station III, Antartica
The cyclinder solar panel array, Low Sun Angle-High Power using a flexible film for the panels was designed by Jim Janiak, KD9UQB specifically for this launch.
On January 26th, 2023, at 05:34 zulu, Pico Balloon KD9UQB, Circumnavigated the World a 5th time in 62 days and 23 hours, reaching Grid IE75ri at an altitude of 11,240 meters, 36,878 feet.
We are predicting by using the 84 hour NOAA Hyplit Trajectory, that Pico Balloon KD9UQB will be south of Tasmania around January 29th 2023.
Our Locate and Track Page has been updated for the 84 hour NOAA Trajectory, Sondehub for Float, Ventusky for wind speed and direction and APRS for location on the world map.
In addition, our Technical Team has provided two new Headers to our website with information on how to build our solar panels.
- Power Solar Panels, showing the build of the Low Sun Angle- High Power Solar Panel used in this Antarctica Launch
- The Standard Solar Array with Instructions and Bill of Materials.
Please feel free to contact me at the link above “Contact US” clicking on the link will forward to my email. Questions and Comments are welcome.
73, Cary KD9ITO
Northern Illinois Bottlecap Balloon Brigade 
One thing I’d like to point out about our balloon, in addition to circumnavigating the globe five times, it makes contacts all over the world. Many contacts are in the Northern Hemisphere. The top ten long-distance contacts, range from an amazing 19,673km to a stellar 18,574 (both contacts made by VE6JY in Canada). All this is due to a 2gm electronic package designed and built by Michael (AA6DY). The combined talent in our brigade allows us to accomplish great things.
I’m excited to see where KD9UQB goes. And I’m excited about our upcoming launches — to see what will be possible with these balloons.
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