Mass. Wing Cadets Continue Record of Achievement at CAP’s High-Altitude Balloon Challenge
Cadets from the Goddard Cadet Squadron of the Massachusetts Wing took the top spot for a documentary video as part of the Civil Air Patrol’s 2024 Col. Joe Kittinger CAP National Aerospace Education High-Altitude Balloon (HAB) Challenge. With the win, the squadron received an Air & Space Forces Association grant of $350.
This wasn’t the first win for the Goddard team. The team took first place nationwide in 2021, first place for scientific slide and was the overall third-place winner in 2022, and second place for video documentary in 2023.
“This team has been in the winner’s circle every year,” said Capt. Leslie Kneipher, Massachusetts Wing aerospace education officer. “But none of it would happen without Lt. Col. LouAnn Maffei-lwuc’s boundless energy.” Lieutenant Col. Maffei-Iwuc oversaw scientific protocol and integrity.
In addition to the documentary, Goddard cadets designed and conducted two science experiments with assistance from Professor Aren Gerdon, Department of Chemistry and Physics chair, from Emmanuel College. Professor Gerdon hosted students at the college, allowing them to use one of the labs and providing instruction in advanced laboratory skills.
The first experiment looked at the impact of a low-orbit environment on thin film solar cells. With assistance from adult member Lt. Col. Brian McCaffrey, the cadets learned how to set up compact circuit boards to measure temperature, ultraviolet radiation, velocity, and voltage. Their study results indicated that thin solar cells may function well in a low-orbit environment and may be a feasible alternative to the solar panels currently used on the International Space Station.
The second experiment examined the impact of ultraviolet radiation on creatine’s molecular structure. Creatine is a potential supplement for astronauts on the ISS to help maintain muscle mass and strength during extended space missions. Under the guidance of Professor Gerdon, the cadets learned how to make serial dilutions of creatine monohydrate and then determine if there was evidence of damage to the molecular structure after exposure to ultraviolet radiation in the test versus control sample using spectrophotometry and infrared analysis. Their results indicated that creatine does not degrade in the stratosphere and may be effective in helping astronauts maintain muscle mass and strength.
Led by Cadet Maj. Henry O’Brien, the cadet team included Cadet 2nd Lieutenants Hari Koornala, Shriya Jonnalagadda, and Sainamish Kaza and Cadet Chief Master Sergeants Nicholas McCaffrey and James Niall.
Adult members involved in the HAB Challenge included Lt. Col. Maffei-Iwuc, Lt. Col. McCaffrey, Capt. Kneipher, Capt. Alex Jean-Baptiste, and Tech. Sgt. Pauline O’Brien.
The CAP Aerospace Education team designed the National High-Altitude Balloon Challenge for cadets in 2021 in an effort to have a national STEM challenge that could be accomplished at individual squadrons and would involve science, technology, engineering, and math. This year, more than 1,500 cadets worked with 250 adults to create over 400 separate experiments.
For More Information:
Angela Brees
Massachusetts Wing Public Affairs Officer
angela.brees@mawg.cap.gov
