North Carolina Space Grant Supports Community College Teams in High-Altitude Ballooning Challenge

Nine teams from across North Carolina came together to compete in the 2026 North Carolina Space Grant Community College High-Altitude Ballooning Challenge (HABC). This year-long competition challenges community college teams to design, build and launch scientific experiments aboard high-altitude balloons.

Students from community college campuses worked alongside faculty mentors, following NASA’s engineering design process, to develop payloads that can collect data in conditions that are similar to those in space. Teams present their work throughout the year, then compete in a statewide launch and recovery event where their payloads are evaluated on design, performance, scientific results and overall execution.

Students leave the program with hands-on experience while developing technical skills and gaining essential teamwork, communication, and leadership tools.

“This challenge gives students the opportunity to serve as the engineers, scientists and leaders on their own projects,” said Jobi Cook, associate director of NC Space Grant. “The HABC experience helps them build practical, career-ready skills that translate directly to opportunities in aerospace and beyond.”

Read the full article on ncspacegrant.ncsu.edu

Author Credit: Grace Rodrigues

Image Credit: NC Space Grant

Original Post Date: 5.31.26