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Louisiana Students Loft Payloads from NASA Balloon Facility in Texas
Louisiana students from nine universities and one high school launched 11 scientific payloads at NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility on May 19, 2026. The LaACES program provides undergraduates with hands-on experience in aerospace engineering and scientific ballooning.
Why it matters
This program creates a pipeline for future scientists by bridging the gap between classroom learning and professional aerospace operations. It gives students practical experience that can lead to careers in NASA, academia, or the aerospace industry.
The details
- The 2026 campaign included launches LACES-74 and LACES-75.
- Payloads were recovered near Ben Wheeler, Texas, roughly 60 miles from launch site.
- Research focused on atmospheric science, cosmic ray detection, and solar cell performance.
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Key connections
NASA owns Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility is a NASA facility in Palestine, Texas
NASA owns National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program
LaACES is funded by NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program
National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program funds Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
The National Space Grant program funds the Louisiana Space Grant Consortium's LaACES initiative
Doug Granger works at Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
Doug Granger is a program director overseeing the LaACES initiative
Aaron Ryan works at Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
Aaron Ryan is a program director overseeing the LaACES initiative
Hugo Franco works at Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
Hugo Franco is the operations manager at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility
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Savannah Matlock works at Louisiana State University
Savannah Matlock is a student at Louisiana State University participating in LaACES
Louisiana State University is a member of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
Louisiana State University is one of the nine university teams in the 2026 LaACES campaign
Northwestern State is a member of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
Northwestern State participated in the 2026 LaACES campaign
Southeastern Louisiana State is a member of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
Southeastern Louisiana State participated in the 2026 LaACES campaign
McNeese State is a member of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
McNeese State participated in the 2026 LaACES campaign
Loyola University is a member of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
Loyola University participated in the 2026 LaACES campaign
Southern University is a member of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
Southern University participated in the 2026 LaACES campaign
St. Joseph's Academy is a member of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
St. Joseph's Academy participated in the 2026 LaACES campaign as the high school team
Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility is a partner of Louisiana Space Grant Consortium
The Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility hosted and supported the LaACES campaign in a long-running collaboration
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