Midwest Stratospheric Data Systems designs, builds, and flies custom lightweight high-altitude balloon platforms to collect and publicly release high-quality atmospheric data — rapidly, transparently, and openly.
A multi-platform strategy delivering vertical profiles, continuous surface observations, and long-duration mid-altitude measurements — all released publicly.
Lightweight (~1.01 lb) high-altitude balloon payloads designed for rapid ascents to approximately 115,000 feet followed by parachute recovery. Capture detailed vertical profiles of temperature, pressure, humidity, wind shear, atmospheric stability layers, and precise GPS positioning throughout ascent, float, and descent.
Maiden science flight: September 19, 2026
Continuous surface meteorological observations from a personal weather station (PWS) deployed in Clark County, Illinois (Casey area). Provides temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and related measurements that anchor local conditions and feed into broader networks.
Actively contributed to NASA GLOBE
Modular Advanced Data Acquisition Payload — lightweight mid-altitude platforms engineered for long-duration flights in the jet stream. Designed to enable extended observations of mid-tropospheric wind patterns and atmospheric dynamics, with potential for multi-day or circumnavigation missions.
Persistent mid-level observations
High-resolution vertical profiles of temperature, moisture, and wind through the troposphere and into the stratosphere remain sparse compared with satellite and surface networks. These profiles improve numerical weather prediction, help diagnose atmospheric stability and shear, support aviation and environmental monitoring, and contribute to long-term climate and atmospheric process studies.
Continuous ground observations provide essential local context and calibration anchors. Long-duration mid-altitude platforms sample dynamic regions (including the jet stream) that short flights and fixed stations cannot fully capture.
Formerly known as AmUP01. Custom-built for reliable stratospheric vertical profiling with real-time public telemetry.
The X2Griffon is designed for rapid helium-balloon ascent into the stratosphere, continuous sensor sampling and real-time telemetry throughout the flight, balloon burst near peak altitude, and controlled parachute descent for recovery. All raw atmospheric data is prepared for public release with a target turnaround of under 48 hours after successful recovery.
Extreme cold at altitude is addressed with proven lightweight heating approaches (including exothermic methods) to maintain battery and electronics performance. The platform prioritizes regulatory simplicity through its low mass while delivering research-grade vertical profiles. Ground validation (full dry functional tests of power, GPS, APRS encoding, sensors, and flight logic) has been successfully completed ahead of the September 2026 campaign.
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Casey, Illinois — dedicated Midwest operations site
September typically offers favorable upper-atmosphere stability across the Midwest, supporting reliable high-altitude operations.
X2Griffon Program Sponsor Page →During flights the X2Griffon transmits real-time APRS and GPS telemetry. Follow along on the public trackers below.
Real-time amateur radio position and telemetry map. Available during active missions.
Open APRS.fi TrackerHigh-altitude balloon and radiosonde tracking platform. Follow the mission map during flights.
Open SondeHub TrackerLicensed amateur radio operators are welcome to listen for and report receptions during missions. Telemetry is public by design.
Open science requires both data collection and participation in shared networks and communities of practice.
Midwest Stratospheric Data Systems is a registered participant in the NASA GLOBE Program (registration GO-4VW9B). We actively contribute fixed ground-based atmospheric observations from our Casey, Illinois station — including surface temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, and related measurements — into the global GLOBE database.
GLOBE connects students, teachers, and citizen scientists worldwide who collect and share environmental data to improve understanding of the Earth system. Our ground station provides consistent Midwest surface data that complements the high-altitude profiles we fly.
MSDS is a full member of the Stratospheric Ballooning Association (SBA). Membership supports collaboration, shared best practices, safety standards, and community engagement across the high-altitude ballooning and near-space research community.
Through the SBA we stay aligned with peers advancing accessible, responsible stratospheric research and educational outreach — including initiatives such as NearSpace Kids educational resources and public engagement.
Educational resources, activities, and inspiration for young explorers interested in high-altitude ballooning, atmospheric science, and near-space missions.
Enter the Kids Near Space ZoneMidwest Stratospheric Data Systems (MSDS) is an EIN-registered U.S. aerospace research company focused on citizen science high-altitude ballooning and open atmospheric data collection. Operations are centered in the Midwest United States with a dedicated launch and recovery capability based in Casey, Illinois (Clark County). We design, build, and fly custom lightweight payloads featuring APRS/GPS telemetry, sensor integration, and rapid data pipelines — with a core commitment to public data release, educational outreach, FAA-compliant safety, and advancing accessible environmental monitoring.
Mark Your Calendar
September 19, 2026
Casey, Illinois
Follow real-time progress on APRS.fi and SondeHub. Full atmospheric datasets will be released publicly on the MSDS portal after recovery.