Started in 2005, HAPB is an unmanned high altitude balloon experiment platform.  The primary mission is to take pictures of the curvature of the Earth showing the thin layer of atmosphere that separates us from space.  Each mission has brought about new ideas and challenges that have resulted in more efficient designs and learning experiences.

Operating under the exempt rules of FAA Part 101 subpart “a” governing unmanned balloon flight the program has been setup to accommodate additional experiments.  Encouraging interest in science, mathematics, and engineering through unmanned ballooning is the focus of future missions and objectives.

11/11/2008 - HAPB-5 launched postponed until January.

10/10/2008 - NASA has release some new learning material in the areas of space science and math. One area of learning is on the history and principles of rocketry and NASA's newest rockets -- Ares I and Ares V. While doing these hands-on activities, participants also learn about Hero Engines, parachutes and surface area, altitude tracking, and Newton's Laws Of Motion. Learners can also build four types of rockets and two types of egg drops. Adventures in Rocket Science has all the information and handouts available for download.

10/09/2008 - HAPB-5 Postponed until November.

09/23/2008 - Annouced HAPB-5 flight planned for 10/18/2008

09/08/2008 -Two PCB sizes are now availalble for the Hitchhiker Program.

09/07/2008 - Are you looking for a great project to kick off the new school year? The NASA Engineering Design Challenge: Lunar Plant Growth Chamber still has space-flown basil seeds available for growing in the classroom. To register for the Engineering Design Challenge and receive seeds, visit http://www.nasa.gov/education/plantchallenge.