Get Involved
Volunteer with MSDS

Support pre-flight operations at the Casey, Illinois launch site. Assist with payload final checks, helium handling support, site setup/teardown, spectator management during public launches, and real-time coordination with flight control.

• ▸ Physical presence on launch day (and sometimes the day before)
• ▸ Ability to work outdoors in variable Midwest weather
• ▸ Reliable, calm under time pressure

Preferred: local to Clark County / east-central Illinois or able to travel for the Sept 19 flight.

Locate and recover the X2Griffon payload after parachute descent. Use APRS/GPS tracking plus BLE proximity beacons to triangulate the landing zone. Document recovery, respect private property, and return all components for rapid data processing.

• ▸ Own vehicle preferred; ability to hike short distances off-road
• ▸ Smartphone or BLE-capable receiver for ground proximity work
• ▸ Comfortable with rural navigation and landowner communication

Core recovery window is usually same-day or next-day after landing. Crowdsourced BLE reports from additional volunteers are also welcome.

Monitor live APRS telemetry (callsign KE9CFY), assist with trajectory predictions, mobile chase coordination, and packet reports. Licensed amateur radio operators are especially valuable for real-time digipeating and reception reports.

• ▸ FCC amateur license preferred (any class)
• ▸ Experience with APRS, SondeHub, or HAB tracking tools a plus
• ▸ Mobile operators who can position downrange are highly useful

Remote monitoring from anywhere is also useful — report receptions and help refine predictions.

Assist the Launch Control Team with pre-flight checklists, weather & trajectory assessment, real-time mission monitoring, and post-flight documentation. Some roles can be performed remotely via shared tools.

• ▸ Attention to detail and clear communication
• ▸ Familiarity with weather models or HAB prediction tools helpful
• ▸ Available during the active flight window

Help turn recovered sensor and telemetry data into clean public datasets. Tasks include quality checks, basic atmospheric profiling, visualization, and packaging for the MSDS Data Hub (target release < 48 hours after recovery).

• ▸ Comfort with spreadsheets, Python, or similar tools
• ▸ Interest in atmospheric science or data visualization
• ▸ Can work asynchronously after the flight

Support the NearSpace Kids program — coloring contests, learning pages, bottle-rocket kits, school outreach materials, and public launch-day activities for families and students.

• ▸ Teaching, youth work, or science-communication experience helpful
• ▸ Graphic design or curriculum interest a plus
• ▸ Flexible, project-based commitment

Help run the September 19, 2026 public event in the Casey area (KC Park District / Municipal Airport vicinity). Tasks include foam-glider giveaways, kids coloring contest, spectator guidance, and general hospitality.

• ▸ Friendly, organized, and good with the public
• ▸ Available the morning of September 19
• ▸ Local volunteers especially needed

Contribute from anywhere on forecasting, trajectory tools, software, website features, electronics prototyping, documentation, or post-flight analysis. Past collaborators have already supported code, editing, and prediction work.

• ▸ Relevant technical skills (any stack)
• ▸ Clear asynchronous communication
• ▸ Interest in open science and lightweight HAB systems