Zephyrus Alpha was launched on June 3rd, 2024. The purpose of this launch was to test using an aprs tracking system, to try launching a smaller balloon than those used in NEBP, and to explore switching from helium to hydrogen gas. 

Zephyrus Alpha successfully used the APRS tracking and hydrogen gas with an 800g balloon. The balloon was overfilled and the ascent rate was higher than expected (closer to 6m/s on average rather then under 4m/s). Between 61,000ft and 62,000ft the balloon experienced a violent event and ripped along a single vertical tear. The camera footage recovered was approximately 3 minutes of spinning in the middle of the flight, likely immediately after the balloon began its descent. All camera footage prior to those recorded 3 minutes and after those recorded 3 minutes were either not recorded or deleted. The camera had extra storage space and battery life; we do not have an explanation for what happened during this launch.