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Make a Planetary Exploration Balloon — NASA JPL lessonScience · Earth & Space Science · Grades 3–12Lesson plan

Update: Sept 2025 - the ASTHROS launch date was pushed back; watch the mission website for updates. In this activity, students will design a balloon and gondola system capable of supporting weight. Students will then determine the mass needed to cause the balloon to ascend at a given rate, descend at a given rate, and/or maintain a constant altitude over a set period of time. Materials Helium balloons (2-3 per group) Paper or plastic cup OR other small container (1 or more per group) String OR

From NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, JPL Education · Public domain (US Gov) · original source

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