"It Fell to Earth, I Knew Not Where . . . "

Photo: Jean Mackay

The AP Physics Class at Voorheesville High School launched Project Icarus this morning, an experimental package borne aloft by a weather balloon. It stopped transmitting telemetry at about 12:30 p.m., when the balloon was at 39,000 feet over Columbia County on a southeasterly course, passing over the Olana State Historic Site. The goal was to reach 100,000 feet. It is not known if the transmission failure is an electronics or battery issue or a balloon issue. If the problem is with the balloon, the experimental payload, in a bright orange Styrofoam container strapped together, should have descended by a bright, multi-colored parachute. If anyone witnessed the descent of this package, please email Ben Mackay, son of Daniel Mackay.