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LEO-LPSU is a collaborative high altitude balloon launch effort to conduct outreach/educational/recreational launches with and for the general public. Led by Pete Levno (BSME PSU) and Chris (Soup Man) and Guy Lewis who have participated in previous LPSU launches, LEO (Low Earth Orbiter) has conducted 2 launches at Champoeg Park during a Geocache gathering under the auspices of LPSU. LPSU provides certain launch equipment and heckling, but can't avoid getting wrapped up in the drama. In general, about 150 people participate in the Geocache event each year and the launch, track, and chase process attract various folks who somehow get this whole thing in their blood. It happens.

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LEO-LPSU 01: 8/xx/08, Elev. xxxxxft, Recovered same day North of Mt. Hood. Notes: Maiden voyage without a hitch

LEO-LPSU 02:  7/xx/09, Elev. ? Approximately 50 folks attend launch at 7:00am, Recovered 8/6/09 only a few miles from previous year's location North of Mt Hood. Notes: Could have been (was) an altitude record, but gps sent garble above ~30,000ft. Rise rate and time aloft data suggest easily achieved a record over 130,000ft. Ground coordinates were sent successfully allowing it to be found weeks later. Apperently, the string attaching the camera box (2 aboard) to the radio/transmitter box was cut by a ziptie on descent and balloon, camera box, and dog tracker were nowhere to be found. The retrieval employed one aircraft and two treks over 19miles each (with 4000ft elevation gains for those on foot). Our most strenuous efforts to recover to date.