EOSS-404 BAE BIRST - Recap

One 3000g balloon was launched from Genoa Colorado at 7:12 am on July 25, 2026 carrying five payloads built by BAE Systems' BIRST intern program. Three of the payloads were intended for a rocket launch, but high fire danger prevented the use of that vehicle. The three payloads were added to the balloon launch. The payload teams camped overnight at the site in Genoa and assisted in the balloon launch. The balloon ascended to approximately 67,700 feet and birst earlier than expected. The payload string descended under a 12 foot parachute and landed on a ranch southwest of Arriba Colorado. It took significant time to retrieve the payloads which were returned to the payload teams in Genoa. 

EOSS members submit mileage for reimbursement here.

Original Announcement: 
  • 07-09-2026 This flight has changed to: Two 3000g balloons or three 1500g balloons
  • 07-09-2026 Payload Plans Rev A
  • 07-23-2026 Payload Plans Rev B

If the cloud cover exceeds 5/10ths the two Heavy balloons will be reconfigured as three Lite balloons as follows:

Event Date: 
Saturday, July 25, 2026 - 00:00 to 23:45
Flight Coordinator: 
KC0RPS
Launch Site: 
Flights: 

EOSS-404 Heavy

BAE BIRST payloads

Balloon Type: 
KKS 3000g
Parachute: 
12 ft Rocketman with Remote Release Baker
Beacons: 
Beacons
FrequencyCallsignTypeNotes
145.645 MHzKCØD-2Remote Release/DFTOP, Secondary Beacon
144.340 MHzKØSSC-13APRS/Digi EOSSGBOTTOM, Primary Beacon, TS 0:00 & 0:30
1090 MHzN991SS ADS-B
145.710 MHzNØJPSnew buildQualification
145.765 MHzAEØSS-2APRS/Digi (no paired release)Qualification
FrequencyList: 

EOSS Preflight Net @ 7 PM Mountain Time the preceding night:

 

The preflight net is hosted on the Fun Machine linked system https://www.we0fun.com/  

EchoLink *CANONCTY* conference and on the TGIF DMR Network Node: 1997 Talkgroup 815

Denver area Frequencies: 

    • 449.225 MHz (-5 MHz Offset, 141.3 Hz CTCSS) Mt Thorodin
    • 448.150 MHz (-5 MHz Offset, 141.3 Hz CTCSS) DIA
    • 449.975 Mhz (-5 MHz Offset, 100 Hz CTCSS) Westcreek
    • 447.525 MHz (-5 MHz Offset, 146.2 Hz CTCSS) Devils Head   

Back up Pre Flight Net Frequincies

        • 146.940 MHz (-600 KHz Offset, 103.5 Hz CTCSS) Rocky Mountain Radio League (RMRL) Repeater if the RMHAM machine is down
        • 146.640 MHz (-600 KHz Offset, 100.0 Hz CTCSS) Denver Radio League (DRL) Repeater will serve as a backup to the backup repeater 

Flight Day:
Launch Site:
        • 446.050 MHz Simplex  
        (Note that some radios assume these are repeater frequencies and attempt to put a 5 MHz offset in the transmit frequency automatically)

Track & Recovery Operations:
        Repeaters:
        • 449.450 MHz (-5 MHz Offset, 103.5 Hz Tone) RMRL repeater

        Simplex Frequencies:
        • 446.100 MHz Balloon #1 Field Simplex 
        • 446.150 MHz Balloon #2 Field Simplex
        • 446.200 MHz Balloon #3 Field Simplex
        • 446.275 MHz Car to Car drive out Simplex
        (Note that some radios assume these are repeater frequencies and attempt to put a 5 MHz offset in the transmit frequency automatically)

Digital Mobile Radio (DMR):

The decision as to which talkgroup use will be made by the EOSS RF Coordinator on a per flight basis.

  • Rocky Mountain Wide Network – Talk Group 700 - Rocky Mountain Ham Radio has approval to the use "Wide" for flight operations.
  • Central Colorado Regional Network – Talk Group 720 - On occasion, EOSS may use the Central Colorado Regional Network (Talk Group 720).

        Legacy 2M Simplex Frequency (not generally used due to desense/interference issues with the 2M APRS packets)
        • 146.550 MHz Simplex

2M Direction Finding Frequencies:

  • 144.340
  • 144.360
  • 144.905
  • 145.535
  • 145.645
  • 145.710
  • 145.765

 

Tactical Calls: 
Trackers
TacticalCall SignNameNotes
AlphaW9CNMike PappasT & R
BravoN/A
CharlieKCØRPSJim LangstedFlight Coordinator; T & R
EchoNØMMDoug Leber Balloon, T & R
FoxtrotKØNKKNancy KoosT & R
GolfKEØUWCGlenn RekerBalloon
HotelKFØNQLAnne Herrington Balloon Fill, T & R
Juliette NØJPSJohn SpainhowerFlight String, T & R
KiloWØMLStephen Williams, MicheleFlight String, T & R
Tango KF0YMHJohn LewisBalloon Fill, T&R
YankeeKE0YAL Brad MearsT & R
TR Breakfast: 
6:00 am Limon IHOP