Specialized Projects

Mission CHNOOK was our successful multi-payload sub-orbital package that flew with Blue Origin on a New Shepard flight. This mission represented a revival and reimagining of our previous Mini-Mee payload, focused on community outreach, biological experiments, and technology demonstrations.

The mission featured four crowd-sourced payloads integrated into a single package: Business Payloads for HSL outreach (including a UW mini husky mascot, student artwork on SD card, and public name submissions), Biology Payloads testing DNA origami structures under launch and microgravity conditions, and HS-2 Demonstration Payloads validating designs for our upcoming HS-2 LEO mission and HS-3 lunar mission.

This mission provided valuable flight heritage for our systems while creating meaningful connections with the UW campus, Seattle community, and Washington K-12 schools. We partnered with Mighty Crayon, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, to include artwork from underserved communities worldwide.

The Platform for High Altitude Testing 3 (PHAT-3) represents our continued commitment to high-altitude balloon testing for validating systems in near-space conditions before orbital deployment. This mission serves as a critical testing platform for technologies destined for HuskySat-2 and HuskySat-3.

PHAT-3 missions provide an affordable and accessible way to test spacecraft subsystems at altitudes reaching approximately 100,000 feet, where conditions closely approximate the space environment. These flights allow us to validate propulsion systems, communication equipment, attitude determination sensors, and other critical spacecraft components.

The program builds upon lessons learned from PHAT-1, incorporating improved recovery systems, enhanced telemetry, and more robust data collection capabilities. Each PHAT-3 mission is designed to test specific subsystems while providing valuable flight experience for our engineering teams.

PHAT-3 missions are conducted in collaboration with the HuskySat-2 Division and Propulsion R&D Division, ensuring that balloon-tested technologies are directly applicable to our orbital missions.