Difference between revisions of "Balloon Challenge"
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= Meeting 1: 21-10-2014 = | = Meeting 1: 21-10-2014 = | ||
| − | * 2x cameras | + | Payload |
| + | * 2x cameras - what's available - lenses | ||
| + | ** stablising the image/payload | ||
* Radio messages to and from | * Radio messages to and from | ||
| − | * | + | * guidelines: 1Kg is normal, up to 2kg possible, http://ukhas.org.uk/guides:guidelines |
| + | * multiple payloads? | ||
| + | * dropping messages | ||
| + | * dropping seeds | ||
| + | |||
Revision as of 19:20, 21 October 2014
Introduction
Hackspace member Gareth Howell has suggested participating in the Global Space Balloon Challenge.
"The Global Space Balloon Challenge is an international education outreach project to encourage people from around the world to build and launch their own high altitude balloons. Over a single weekend, teams from all over the world will launch balloons to the edge of space, recover them, and share the photos and data that they have collected. Our goal is to encourage people of all ages to get their hands dirty building their own space hardware, and to promote the spirit of hardware hacking and international STEM collaboration."
You can read the Google group discussion concerning the idea here.
Payload
Must-have payload
- Camera (Multiple? Video or still? Or both?)
- GPS logger - see http://ukhas.org.uk/guides:tracking_guide
- Basic environment logging (temperature, humidity, barometric pressure)
- Batteries
Extra Payload/Feature Ideas
- "Golden record" as per the Voyager missions
- Live telemetry downlink
- Command uplink
- Geiger counter
- Solar irradiance meter - Balloon will get in the way of readings from directly above though
- Ubiquitous red rabbit
Legal/Procedural Matters
CAA Permission and NOTAMs
Following information summarised from www.metlink.org:
- CAA permission much be obtained before release (call 020 7453 6599 or email ausops@caa.co.uk).
- This must be done at least 28 days prior to release.
- Because weather will dictate precise date/time of release, a window of a few days can be specified.
- The CAA will issue a NOTAM (Notice To Airmen) for these dates.
- Maximum permitted payload weight is 4kg.
External Links
Global Space Balloon Challenge
UKHAS (UK High Altitude Society)
Ideas Deluge
Michael's late-night brainstorms.
I've written a short play about a small machine sent into the air - it gains self-awareness and feels betrayed by its makers. It tweets its annoyances (well, by packet radio or somesuch).
Project naming and (dare I say "branding")
- Icarus name already done in this realm :( pretty obvious really!
- http://www.robertharrison.org/icarus/wordpress/about/
- but a fascinating project nonetheless
- and I'm fascinated with the Icarus theme for our balloon
- Immediate second choice pun: "Thick'R'Us" already done - appears to be pornographic! DO NOT GOOGLE!
- we then move into the ridiculous... TBC
Meeting 1: 21-10-2014
Payload
- 2x cameras - what's available - lenses
- stablising the image/payload
- Radio messages to and from
- guidelines: 1Kg is normal, up to 2kg possible, http://ukhas.org.uk/guides:guidelines
- multiple payloads?
- dropping messages
- dropping seeds
Itinerary
- launch
- mission control team
- live happenings on the web / tweets SMS / Facebook / Google+
- chase team
- finding and recovery
- post processing of data
As much live documentation as possible
- Immediate upload
- YouTube
- Live internet radio show
- Google Hangout