diff --git a/chasemapper/config.py b/chasemapper/config.py
index 6d15d36..f16843c 100644
--- a/chasemapper/config.py
+++ b/chasemapper/config.py
@@ -176,6 +176,11 @@ def parse_config_file(filename):
         logging.info("Missing turn rate gate setting, using default (4m/s)")
         chase_config["turn_rate_threshold"] = 4.0
 
+    try:
+        chase_config["ascent_rate_averaging"] = config.getint("predictor", "ascent_rate_averaging")
+    except:
+        logging.info("Missing ascent_rate_averaging setting, using default (10)")
+        chase_config["ascent_rate_averaging"] = 10
 
     # Telemetry Source Profiles
 
diff --git a/chasemapper/geometry.py b/chasemapper/geometry.py
index 33e7bf3..b91ef14 100644
--- a/chasemapper/geometry.py
+++ b/chasemapper/geometry.py
@@ -152,7 +152,18 @@ def calculate_ascent_rate(self):
                         "Zero time-step encountered in ascent rate calculation - are multiple receivers reporting telemetry simultaneously?"
                     )
                     continue
+            
+            # _mean2_time_delta = (
+            #         self.track_history[-1][0] - self.track_history[-1*_num_samples][0]
+            #     ).total_seconds()
+            
+            # _mean2_altitude_delta = (
+            #         self.track_history[-1][3] - self.track_history[-1*_num_samples][3]
+            #     )
+            
+            # _asc_rate2 = _mean2_altitude_delta / _mean2_time_delta
 
+            #print(f"asc_rates: {_asc_rates}, Mean: {np.mean(_asc_rates)}")
             return np.mean(_asc_rates)
 
     def calculate_heading(self):
diff --git a/horusmapper.cfg.example b/horusmapper.cfg.example
index afadb99..b3a3d4b 100644
--- a/horusmapper.cfg.example
+++ b/horusmapper.cfg.example
@@ -134,6 +134,11 @@ predictor_enabled = True
 default_burst = 30000
 default_descent_rate = 5.0
 
+# How many data points to average the payload's ascent rate over.
+# Note that this is data points, not *seconds*, so you may need to tune this for your payload's
+# position update rate.
+# Longer averaging means a smoother ascent rate. ~10 seems ok for a typical Horus Binary payload.
+ascent_rate_averaging = 10
 
 # Offline Predictions
 # Use of the offline predictor requires installing the CUSF Predictor Python Wrapper from here:
diff --git a/horusmapper.py b/horusmapper.py
index 2b48985..e6c532f 100644
--- a/horusmapper.py
+++ b/horusmapper.py
@@ -236,7 +236,7 @@ def handle_new_payload_position(data, log_position=True):
 
     if _callsign not in current_payloads:
         # New callsign! Create entries in data stores.
-        current_payload_tracks[_callsign] = GenericTrack()
+        current_payload_tracks[_callsign] = GenericTrack(ascent_averaging=chasemapper_config["ascent_rate_averaging"])
 
         current_payloads[_callsign] = {
             "telem": {