Brophy CubeSat Club Launches Weather Balloon that Reaches the Edge of Space
5, 4, 3, 2, 1… The Brophy CubeSat Club is officially out of this world after the successful launch and recovery of a weather balloon last Friday that reached the edge of space. The exhilarating ascent occurred against the desert sky in Tonopah, Ariz., to test data collection equipment for implementation on the team’s satellite in low Earth orbit.
The CubeSat crew — Alexander Motola ‘25, Henry Silvernail ’27, lan Koeninger ’25, Leo Ma ’26, Lucas Vargas ’26 and Sami Shammas ’26 — was on hand to witness the ascent that captured a glimpse of the curvature of the Earth at its highest point (video below). The crew recovered the weather balloon approximately 85 miles away near Maricopa. Making the successful launch and recovery possible is club moderator Mr. Jason Svedin and the support of other faculty members, as well as the Brophy Rocketry Club.
The Brophy CubeSat Club is dedicated to launching a small satellite into orbit to measure dust cloud formation over the Southwest U.S. to better predict outbreaks of Valley Fever.
This morning, Brophy College Preparatory proudly hosted its New Student Convocation, a cherished tradition that prayerfully welcomes new students and their families into the Brophy community. This year’s convocation was particularly special, as it marked the arrival of the Class of 2028, coinciding with the school’s centennial year, as well as the Loyola Academy Scholar Class of 2031.
The ceremony included a prayerful reflection, highlighting the school’s commitment to faith and the Jesuit tradition. The event concluded with a blessing for the new students and their families, setting a positive and hopeful tone for the years to come. As the Class of 2028 begins its journey at Brophy, and the Loyola Academy Scholars continue their academic path, they do so with the full support of the Brophy community.
Brophy College Preparatory marked the beginning of the school year with the annual Back to School Bash, a signature event designed to foster connections between the incoming Class of 2028 and their Big Brothers. The event was a tremendous success, offering a day filled with activities aimed at building camaraderie and community.
Students participated in a variety of water-themed activities, with the highlight being the giant water slides set up on Brophy’s baseball field. The pool area was also a popular spot, providing a refreshing way to celebrate the start of the new academic year. Lively music, engaging games and a festive atmosphere contributed to a day of smiles and new friendships.
It’s clear that the students are ready for an exciting year ahead