Reviewer-grade FAQ
Answers for students, reviewers, mission staff, and new team members. This FAQ keeps the original simple navigation but restores the technical depth: mission cycle, payload hardware, APRS route, sensor units, video evidence, and data publication standards.
What is ASCEND?
ASCEND is an Arizona Space Grant and ANSR high-altitude balloon mission model where undergraduate teams work through design, build, fly, operate, analyze, and publish phases.
What does Phoenix College contribute?
Phoenix College students build payload hardware, integrate sensors, manage video capture, support launch/recovery operations, and publish mission data for review and recruitment.
Why are there multiple altitude numbers?
APRS and workbook-derived altitude are separate sources. APRS provides the public route marker; aligned workbook data provides sensor-derived altitude. The site labels them separately instead of blending them.
What data units must be preserved?
Altitude uses ft or m, particulate uses mg/m3, CO2 uses ppm, temperature uses °C, humidity uses percent RH, count rate uses CPM, and converted dose rate uses uSv/h.
What must a launch page prove?
It must show the payload, route, launch media, peak-event media, landing/recovery evidence, sensor results, and source-labeled figures.
What should new students study first?
Read the mission cycle, payload architecture, sensor list, APRS route, recovered data wall, and gallery captions. Then choose a role in mechanical, electrical, software, science, media, recovery, or outreach.
What should Dr. Ong see in review?
A serious aerospace program website: accurate units, source links, real payload detail, visual proof, complete navigation, and a clear readiness path for the next flight.