Wright State University High Altitude Balloon Team - Our lab is at 100,000 feet
2006-2007
From HABTWiki
Contents |
Summary
The 2006-2007 High Altitude Balloon Team conducting some successful launches and completed development of reliable tracking systems.
Launches
Launch 3
Pictures from Launch on November 21, 2006.
Launch 4
Launch 2 of the 2006-2007 team took place on April 21, 2007, and resulted in validation of the video camera sample video and flight prediction software. Unfortunately, due to a GPS / Flight computer failure, the extent of the video is of the ground during ascent. This GPS / Flight computer failure was found to be a two-fold problem.
- The GPS units used were susceptable to interference from wireless communication (HAM Radio) and mobile computing.
- The programming of the flight computer failed to consider the case of no altitude data from the GPS.
When the GPS failed to receive an altitude reading all three cameras were turned off. By the time the altitude signal was reacquired the DVR had shut down to save power.
Experiments
The 2006-2007 Mechanical Engineering team focused on deployment of a shape memory composite tube constructed by ILC Dover (and donated to the project). The goal was to deploy the tube in a near space environment using only the battery power from an 18V NiCad power pack. Experiments on the ground showed that this was likely feasible, but only because of the insulation provided by vacuum. Shown below is a video of the tube being deployed in the WSU vacuum chamber, donated by the WSU Physics department.
Major Developments
- Adoption of the defacto aviation standard for unmanned aircraft of International (neon) Orange and White.
- Development of a method for notification to FAA Air Traffic Control (ATC).
- Greatly improved flight path prediction and visualization (utilizing MS Excel and Google Earth).
A sample Google Earth output can be seen in this sample video.
- Development of two image capture systems
- ) A three camera video system with DVR. This system is altitude controlled.
- ) High Altitude Image Transmission (HAIT) which broadcasts camera control signals and captured image between ground teams and the command module.
- Improved performance 2m antenna, which has both better broadcast performance and significant less weight.
- Design and development of a multi cell solar power array and the associated circuitry.
- Addition of a radar reflector to enhance the radar cross section (RCS) of the balloon system (command module, balloon and parachute)
Team Members
Students
Brandon Kirby - Mechanical Engineering, Chris Byers - Electrical Engineering, Steve Mascarella - Electrical Engineering, Thomas Pestak - Electrical Engineering, Jennifer Bishop - Mechanical Engineering
Advisors
Ruby Mawasha- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Joseph C. Slater- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, J. Mitch Wolff- Mechanical and Materials Engineering, John Wu- Electrical Engineering
Graduate Student Support
Kumar Yelamarthi - Electrical Engineering
