Mike Newchurch, left, professor of atmospheric chemistry at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, and graduate student Paula Tucker prepare a weather balloon before releasing it to perform research during the solar eclipse Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, on the Orchard Dale historical farm near Hopkinsville, Ky. The location, which is in the path of totality, is also at the point of greatest intensity. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

SPSA plans to launch three high-altitude balloons, starting Friday

By CKOM News Nov 6, 2026 | 9:44 AM

People in the Prince Albert and Shellbrook area might spot high-altitude balloons ascending and descending over the coming days as the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency conducts a scientific pilot project.

The agency said it plans to launch three balloons over a two-week period starting Friday afternoon as part of a pilot project in partnership with LUX Aerobot.

Read more:

“The project will use high-altitude balloons carrying instrumentation to assess whether continuous aerial monitoring can improve wildfire detection, response times, resource deployment decisions, and overall public safety outcomes,” the agency said in a statement.

“Weather permitting, up to three balloon launches are planned from the Prince Albert/Shellbrook area over the next two weeks. The balloons are expected to land in the Melfort area and will remain airborne for several hours.”

LUX Aerobot will track the balloons during the flights and will recover them once they return to Earth, the safety agency said.

The balloons will reach twice the altitude of a commercial airliner, the agency noted, and while the public may be able to spot the balloons as they launch and land, there is no risk to the public.