Midwest SDS Sets X2Griffon Maiden Science Flight for Sept. 19 from Casey, Illinois

CASEY, Ill. - Sept. 1, 2026 - Midwest Scientific Data Systems (Midwest SDS), a limited partnership under Aerostratospheric, an Illinois nonprofit, will conduct the X2Griffon maiden science flight on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m. from Casey, Illinois.

X2Griffon is planned as the program's first full science profile on a Part 101 lightweight high-altitude balloon platform. The flight targets approximately 115,000 feet. Midwest SDS intends to make flight data publicly available within 48 hours of recovery, consistent with its open-science mission.

The launch site for X2Griffon is sponsored by Casey First Church of the Nazarene (KZ Naz), 1000 E US Hwy 40, Casey, Ill. Helium for the inaugural X2Griffon flight is provided in-kind by American Welding and Gas (AWG), Terre Haute, Ind., 1317 Poplar St.

Midwest SDS develops Midwest-made high-altitude balloon platforms and publishes open environmental data through its UOGW open commons and related programs, including GLOBE participation (GO-4VW9B) for ground observations in Casey. The organization is a full SBA member. Anomaly flags in UOGW products are not National Weather Service warnings; upstream data sources include Open-Meteo, NOAA, NASA, and other public providers as cited on midwestsds.com.

Media and partnership inquiries: launchcontrol@midwestsds.com
Web: https://midwestsds.com/

Flight details: X2Griffon is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at approximately 1:00 p.m. from Casey, Illinois, at a launch site sponsored by Casey First Church of the Nazarene (KZ Naz), 1000 E US Hwy 40, Casey, Ill. The platform is a Part 101 lightweight high-altitude balloon targeting approximately 115,000 feet, and the flight is planned as the program's first full science profile. Helium for the inaugural flight is provided in-kind by American Welding and Gas (AWG), Terre Haute, Ind., 1317 Poplar St.

Data policy: Midwest SDS intends to make X2Griffon flight data publicly available within 48 hours of recovery through its UOGW open commons, consistent with the open-science mission of Aerostratospheric, an Illinois nonprofit. Ground observations in Casey are contributed through GLOBE participation (GO-4VW9B). Upstream data sources include Open-Meteo, NOAA, NASA, and other public providers as cited on midwestsds.com.

Midwest Scientific Data Systems (Midwest SDS), a limited partnership under Aerostratospheric, an Illinois nonprofit
Casey, Illinois, USA

Launch site (sponsored): Casey First Church of the Nazarene (KZ Naz), 1000 E US Hwy 40, Casey, IL 62420, USA

Press contact:
Elena Vargas, Press and Communications Lead
Email: elena@midwestsds.com
Media and partnership inquiries: launchcontrol@midwestsds.com
Web: https://midwestsds.com/

Midwest Scientific Data Systems (Midwest SDS) is a limited partnership under Aerostratospheric, an Illinois nonprofit. Midwest SDS develops Midwest-made high-altitude balloon platforms and publishes open environmental data through its UOGW open commons and related programs, including GLOBE participation (GO-4VW9B) for ground observations in Casey, Illinois. The organization is a full SBA member. Anomaly flags in UOGW products are not National Weather Service warnings; upstream data sources include Open-Meteo, NOAA, NASA, and other public providers as cited on midwestsds.com.

This release was published on openPR.