ANSR-154/155 :  ASCEND-55/56 : Spring 2025 : 29 Mar 2025 

Welcome to Flight DAY!!!

The Sat Morning prediction for the Freeman Rd launch site off Exit 140 on I-8 hasn't changed much since last night with predicted favorable landing areas off 79. Below is the final Manifest with the weights. Will see everyone at the launch site please try to arrive by 8am to ensure we have enough time to get ready for launch.

The Sat morning final prediction for the ANSR-154 balloon flights is using a 140% fill of hydrogen. The flight is predicted to travel 94.8 km (58.9 miles) on a bearing of 90º, landing at 32.82345,-111.26409, 14.7 miles SE of Florence, AZ. Burst should occur after 63 minutes with a total flight time of 95 minutes. The assumptions for this prediction are a 3000 gram balloon, payload mass of 8.278 kg (18.249 lbs), neck lift of 11.59 kg (25.49 lbs), an ascent rate of 7.68 m/sec (1511 fpm), a burst altitude of 29,869 meters (98,000 feet), descent rate at landing of 6.81 m/sec (1340 fpm) and using the Sondehub Predictor. Google Earth KML, JPG files are attached.

The Fri morning prediction for the ANSR-155 balloon flight is using a 140% fill of hydrogen. The flight is predicted to travel 99.1 km (61.6 miles) on a bearing of 87º, landing at 32.78597,-111.22348, or 17.8 miles SE of Florence, AZ. Burst should occur after 63 minutes with a total flight time of 94 minutes. The assumptions for this prediction are a 3000 gram balloon, payload mass of 8.278 kg (18.251 lbs), neck lift of 11.59 kg (25.49 lbs), an ascent rate of 7.68 m/sec (1511 fpm), a burst altitude of 29,869 meters (98,000 feet), descent rate at landing of 6.81 m/sec (1340 fpm) and using the Sondehub Predictor. Google Earth KML, JPG files are attached.

The launches of ANSR-154 & ANSR-155 are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Mar 29, 2025 at 9:00 AM & 9:30 AM MST (1600 UT / 1630 UT) The launch site is currently at the Freeman Rd (exit 140) off I-8 (32.8482, -112.3198). The actual launch site will be determined as we get closer to launch day.

The Weather Underground forecast for Maricopa, AZ for Saturday, March 29, 2025, is for: Partly cloudy skies. High near 80F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph. Weather at launch time is forecast to be partly cloudy with a temperature of 66º F and winds SW at 5 to 7 mph.

Looking forward to a great flight today.

Stephen D Thomas
ANSR-VP
KE7TLS