Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 was launched on March 2nd 2024 from Grayslake, IL. Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2, makes its 2nd circumnavigation around the world today, after 20 days and 18 hours of flight. Information on this flight, launch pictures, location and 84 hour forward trajectory is updated daily on our Locate and Track page.

This launch was conducted in partnership with Todd McKinney, KN4TPG with the University of Alabama in Huntsville. The tracker designed by Ken Daniel, K9YO, 3 panel 12 cell solar package designed by Jim Janiak, NE9JJ to hold the new tracker and weather sensor by Todd McKinney, KN4TPG completes the tracker package weighing approx. 19.3 grams.

As our tracker transmits, amateur radio stations on the ground receive and report our callsign, altitude and location in 2 transmissions 2 minutes apart, the 3rd transmission sends temperature, humidity and pressure at altitide using the weather sensor designed by Todd McKinney weighing 1.6 grams, seen in more detail below.

Todd had launched our Pico Balloon KD9UQB also flying as W5KUB-115 with Tom Medlin, from Antarctica on November 23rd 2022 which flew for 100 days and 7 times around the world. Jim Janiak formerly KD9UQB, now NE9JJ designed both solar panels, the Low Sun Angle, High Power solar array used for the Antarctica flight and the one above for our current flight.

Here’s the article from the University of Alabama which was written on Todd’s Antarctica project https://www.uah.edu/news/news/uah-graduate-student-transforms-balloon-hobby-into-successful-antarctic-experiment

We’re excited to be part of Todd’s new project, receiving weather reports at altitude for longer flights. Please click on this link for more information on The Pico Balloon Archive by Todd McKinney

Below is today’s location for Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2 at Grid EL69TA flying at an altitude of 40,387 feet after 20 days and 18 hours of flight.

Below is the 84 hour projected trajectory for Pico Balloon NE9JJ-2, from March 23rd thru March 27th 2024

Waiting for good weather for our upcoming balloon launches for Gordie; KD9TVR, Kelsi; KE9LSI, Cal; KD9WNU, Janet; KD9WVO, and our other members. So many balloons, not so great weather here in Chicago.

73, Cary KD9ITO