Cubes In Space

09/21/2026

New video release! Launch video of RB-11 on NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Salter Test Flight mission on August 22, 2026. NASA's Balloon Program Office, Ft. Sumner, New Mexico launch location.

On 22 August 2026, 90 student experiments were launched on the Cube...

08/22/2026

Congratulations to all students and educators with experiments on the 2026 Cubes in Space RB-11 student research and technology development mission! This was our eleventh mission offered in collaboration with NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Balloon Program Office (BPO).

For real time flight data: https://towerfts.csbf.nasa.gov/Maps/convgps763NT.htm

Thank you to Kevin Dillion, our BPO Mission Manager who provides us with guidance and assistance with all the design reviews and onsite support each year. Thank you to all the Peraton and Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility personnel for all your support during installation, testing and ground operations!

A full experiment integration and launch video will be posted in a week or so ... we are still on summer holiday :)

08/22/2026

Live streaming has started!

https://video.ibm.com/channel/nasa-educational

08/22/2026

As of 0752 EDT (-4 GMT) Current operations for RB-11 on NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Salter Test Flight at the Ft. Sumner, New Mexico launch location. Meteorology and personnel still waiting to determine if winds remain consistent for inflation and launch this morning.

Live streaming of ground operations does not appear to have started yet this morning.

Thanks to Kevin Dillon, Mission Manager for the Balloon Program Office for keeping us updated!

08/21/2026

Launch attempt for RB-11 on Saturday, August 22nd 2026. Check previous posts for links to live video stream.

Stay groovy

08/21/2026

RB-11 launch attempt cancelled for Friday, August 21st

08/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1K8CRgDRTD/

RB-11 launch update, Friday August 21st

08/21/2026

Official photo from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Balloon Program Office. Great photo!

RB-11 on Salter Test Flight update for Friday, August 21st. As of 7:27 am EDT (-4GMT) Launch possible this morning; however, inflation on hold due to inconsistent winds.

We are being updated this morning by the flight manager via text. We were informed there have been some issues with the real time camera on-site at the launch location.

We will keep you posted this morning!

The scientific balloon campaign in New Mexico has opened!

NASA is launching six balloons from Fort Sumner carrying scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and student payloads. This year’s campaign marks the 20th flight for the High-Altitude Student Platform carrying payloads developed by student teams.

08/20/2026

Launch attempt for RB-11 on NASA's Wallops Flight Facility Salter Test Flight could be tomorrow - Friday - 21 August 2026. Rollout of equipment and balloon typically begins around 4:30 AM MDT (-6 GMT). For live video, check this site: https://towerfts.csbf.nasa.gov/flightvideo.htm

For launch operation status and flight location: https://towerfts.csbf.nasa.gov/Maps/convgps763NT.htm

We may have additional updates for you later today.

-Stay groovy

08/18/2026

Next possible launch attempt for RB-11 on NASA's Salter Test Flight is Friday, August 21st, 2026. Surface and low-level winds are not conducive for safe launch for ground crew and payload on Wednesday and Thursday due to a trough (weather front) moving through the Ft. Sumner area. There will be another weather briefing we will attend virtually at 3:30 PM EDT tomorrow.