Difference between revisions of "High Altitude Ballooning"

From PHYSpedia
Jump to: navigation, search
(2011 High Altitude Balloon (HAB) Dec 3, 2011 Launch (FHSU Phys 100 class project))
(2011 High Altitude Balloon (HAB) Dec 3, 2011 Launch (FHSU Phys 100 class project))
Line 87: Line 87:
 
Use the play button to turn camera on and autoload the CHDK firmware, which will start taking pics every 20 seconds... (auto focus, auto exposure). To get the display to shut off (and conserve the battery) just insert a usb cable into the camera that is not terminated.  
 
Use the play button to turn camera on and autoload the CHDK firmware, which will start taking pics every 20 seconds... (auto focus, auto exposure). To get the display to shut off (and conserve the battery) just insert a usb cable into the camera that is not terminated.  
  
Tested (freezer in TH226, temp -15 '''°'''C):<br />
+
Tested (freezer in TH226, temp -18 '''°'''C):<br />
 
Camera took 350 images (4000x3000 pixels, jpeg) before the battery died in 2h15m (images take up 386MB).
 
Camera took 350 images (4000x3000 pixels, jpeg) before the battery died in 2h15m (images take up 386MB).
  

Revision as of 15:38, 28 November 2011

2011 High Altitude Balloon (HAB) Dec 3, 2011 Launch (FHSU Phys 100 class project)

Notes (from EXTREMELY HELPFUL discussions with Paul Verhage, check out http://www.nearspacenetwork.com):

NOTAM (Notice to Airmen for HiBall) Phone Number: 877.487.6867

Don't launch if the winds are in excess of 10 mph. When filling the balloon, fill with no regulator. Use cotton or latex gloves to handle the balloon. Fill balloon with a 1" PVC pipe with end-cap adapter to gas line (the PVC has a hook on it so a digital fish scale can be attached). Fill the balloon so that the lift force exceeds the payload weight by about 2.5 - 3 lbs. (If the lift force exceeds the payload weight by only ~1 lb it is possible to achieve neutral buoyancy!) To tie off balloon: twist rubber and then tie string around the balloon's neck where the rubber is thick, then fold the neck up and wrap with duct tape. Put about 20 ft of line between the balloon and parachute.


Trajectory predictions

http://habhub.org/predict/

http://nearspaceventures.com/w3Baltrak/readyget.pl (Hays airport is HYS)


GPS/Radio Tracking (N8VRN)

http://aprs.fi/


Latex Weather Balloon ($90), http://www.amazon.com/30ft-Professional-Weather-Balloon-1200g/dp/B00513FWQI

Specifications:

mass = 1.2 kg, 10ft diameter at release, 30 ft diameter at burst Nominal lift: 7.6 lbs Maximum lift: 15 lbs Nominal burst altitude: 115,000 ft


Parachute ($55), 6ft, 173 g or 6.1 oz, http://www.the-rocketman.com

Specifications:

Weight: Descent speed: 6.5 lb (4.77 m/s, 15.65 ft/s) 8 lb (5.39 m/s, 17.67 ft/s) 11.5 lb (6.35 m/s, 20.82 ft/s) 17 lb (7.72 m/s, 25.32 ft/s)


String

We are using 250 lb test nylon kite string (500 ft roll).


Payload container, Put foam on bottom to act as a shock absorber.


Digital Camera ($270), Canon PowerShot D10, http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_d10

Specifications:

12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD

Using a 4 GB SDHC card and CHDK camera firmware... http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

Used Acid to determine that the firmware was 100B, then used CardTricks 144 to flash the firmware to format (fat16) and flash the 4GB SDHC card (make sure card slider is towards pins for reading, away from camera pins for booting camera). Modified script from sparkfun.com: hab.bas


@title HAB FHSU
@param a Interval (Secs)
@default a 20
@param b Secs until 1st shoot
@default b 20
@param c Turn off display (0=no, 1=yes)
@default c 1

t=get_tick_count
d=a*1000
s=t+((b-(15/10))*1000)

goto "shoot"

shoot

if get_tick_count<s then goto "shoot"
s=s+d
shoot
goto "shoot"

end

Use the play button to turn camera on and autoload the CHDK firmware, which will start taking pics every 20 seconds... (auto focus, auto exposure). To get the display to shut off (and conserve the battery) just insert a usb cable into the camera that is not terminated.

Tested (freezer in TH226, temp -18 °C):
Camera took 350 images (4000x3000 pixels, jpeg) before the battery died in 2h15m (images take up 386MB).



SPOT Tracker ($320), http://www.findmespot.com/en/

Tracks... http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0obLunbKoqbsUuEq5OyCLRQX3c3lWMFdo


Vernier LabPro http://www.vernier.com/products/interfaces/labpro/