AFA Europe Near Space Challenge launch was performed on 29 May, 2021 following a 3-week delay due to poor weather conditions. The weekend of 29/30 May marked the last possible launch weekend prior to school vacation.

With a temperature of 70 ℉, few clouds and winds of approximately 11 mph, the flight conditions were fair. Ideal conditions have winds <5 mph, however wind speeds up to 15 mph are still acceptable.

Unbeknownst to the AFA launch team, gusts of wind in excess of 20 mph would be experienced atop a local German Village, adjacent to the Winnweiler War Memorial. This provided the launch crew a very difficult challenge, and one that would not go well for the team.

Just following the careful release of the Command and Control pod, the tether line with a tensile force of 180 Newtons would snap releasing the C2 pod into the atmosphere, but leaving behind the remaining student pods - SEE VIDEO.

The AFA Europe Near Space Challenge will re-release the team pods to complete the challenge at the end of September.

For now, the AFA Europe Near Space Challenge Team would like to thank all the teams competing and making this a wonderful STEM experience. Team sponsors will receive further guidance concerning the re-launch dates over the Summer Break.

The Air Force Association European region is proud to present the 2021 Near Space Challenge.

AFA Chapters from around Europe are supporting high school STEM programs by offering students an opportunity to place original science experiments into near space via High Altitude Ballooning (HAB).

Your partnered AFA Chapter will help your high school teams throughout the challenge by providing both financial and technical support.

Teams of 5-7 students can compete for the AFA Europe Near Space Challenge (NSC) Cup. Winners will also receive additional prizes to include individual medals.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE 2021 AFAE NEAR SPACE CHALLENGE IS 1 MARCH, 2021