EOSS-396/397 MetroState Intro2Space - Recap

KCØRPS's picture
Submitted by KCØRPS on Mon, 04/13/2026 - 12:01

On Sunday, April 19, 2026, we launched two 3000g latex balloons carrying a total of 17 experiments for MSU-Denver's Intro2Space program.  All payloads were recovered successfully. A detailed recap of the day's events will be posted soon.

 

EOSS Members: Please submit your mileage for reimbursement here: https://forms.microsoft.com/r/wKHQHifSjL?origin=lprLink

Recap Gallery: 
Original Announcement: 

PDATE:  Launch date changed from Saturday to Sunday.Weather and flight path predictions for Saturday are unfavorable, so we will launch on Sunday, April 19,  at 0700 from Deer Trail.We will launch two 3000g balloons carrying student experiments from the Intro2Space program at Metro State University of Denver. The first balloon is scheduled for launch on Saturday, April 18, at 0700 MDT from Deer Trail Junior/Senior HS, Deer Trail, CO. 

  • Rev B  10 Apr 2026
  • Rev C  14 Apr 2026
  • Rev D. 17 Apr 2026

 

Event Date: 
Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 00:00 to 23:45
Flight Coordinator: 
NØMM
Launch Site: 
Deer Trail
Flights: 

EOSS-397 Heavy

Balloon Type: 
KKS 3000g Latex
Parachute: 
12-ft Rocketman with Remote Release David
Beacons: 
FrequencyCallsignTypeNotes
144.905AE0SS-1Atlantis. Remote Release/ DFTOP, Secondary Beacon
144.340AE0SS-3Enterprise. APRS/ Digi BOTTOM, Primary Beacon. TS: 0:20 and 0:50
Payload Plan: 
PDF icon EOSS-397 Heavy Rev D.pdf

EOSS-396 Heavy

Balloon Type: 
KKS 3000g latex balloon
Parachute: 
12-ft Rocketman with Remote Release Baker
Beacons: 
FrequencyCallsignTypeNotes
145.645KC0D-2Remote Release/ DFTOP, Secondary Beacon
144.340AE0SS-4 VOYAAPRS/ DigiBOTTOM, Primary TS: 0:10 and 0:40
Payload Plan: 
PDF icon EOSS-396 Heavy Rev D.pdf
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: 
TacticalCall SignNameNotes
Alpha`KB0YRZChris KDown Range Tracking
CharlieKC0RPSJim LStudent Escort
DeltaK0SCCStephen MLeaving from GS after launch
EchoN0MMDoug LStudent Escort
FoxtrotN0NKKNancy KDown Range Tracking
GolfKE0UWCGlenn RDown Range Tracking
TR Breakfast: 
5:30 am Limon IHOP Trackers breakfast. Rally point for Student Caravan: Valero Truck Stop in Seibert, CO