Arizona Near Space Research plans to launch a high-altitude balloon flight, ANSR-81/ASCEND!-17, on March 29, 2014 at 0900 MST (1600 UTC). The flight from the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (DM43ab) will be the 17th in a series of ASCEND! flights sponsored by the Arizona Space Grant Consortium.

The payloads will contain a variety of scientific apparatus designed and constructed by students from six Arizona colleges and universities.

APRS Beacons will transmit position information on 445.925 MHz and 144.34 MHZ. A crossband repeater will operate with an input of 145.56 MHz (162.2 Hz tone) and an output of 445.525 MHz.

While contacts (especially DX) are welcome, give priority to chase-team members. Observers can track the flight via APRS. Updates will be posted to the Yahoo! Ballooning forum. — AMSAT News Service via Allen Sklar, W7AS