B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
BalloonSat to the Edge of Space Mission
Team: Up, Up and Away
COSGC ASEN 1400 Team#8
Balloon: B.O.S.S.
Balloon-Operated Seeding System
Team Members
Trevor Arrasmith
Ty Bailey
Cameron Coupe
Samuel Frakes
Brandon Harris
Carolyn Mason
Soo Rin Park
Peter VanderKley
Team Up, Up and Away
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
OVERVIEW AND MISSION STATEMENT:
MISSION STATEMENT:
With our Balloon-Operated Seeding System (B.O.S.S.), Team Up, Up and Away will test a
unique particle dispersal method in order to determine its reliability and effectiveness in the
extreme conditions through which the balloon satellite will travel. Our mission is to create a
small-scale version of a balloon-satellite-based cloud seeding system that is as effective as
conventional methods.
WHAT WE EXPECT TO DISCOVER:
Clouds form when latent water vapor condenses on a particle and droplets within clouds
collide and join with each other. Droplets begin to form and subsequently precipitate after
sufficient condensation, or, through convection currents. Convections currents occur when a
cloud rises to an altitude with a low enough temperature for the water droplets freeze and fall
(Clouds and Precipitation). The practice of cloud seeding is the attempt to influence the amount
of precipitation produced by clouds. It utilizes the two manners of the creation of precipitation
by either introducing particles, or by releasing dry ice or rapidly expanding propane to lower the
temperature to the point that the water droplets can freeze (Weather Modification Services). Two
commonly induced particles are silver iodide and finely ground salt (2-5 microns in diameter).
These are used because they have a crystalline structure that is extremely similar to that of ice. In
practice, water vapors will condensate around these structures and provide an adhesive substance
that the water droplets cling to.
Team Up, Up and Away is attempting to study the feasibility and efficacy of a balloonmounted cloud seeding system at altitudes (5,000 to 100,000 ft). Our balloon-mounted CubeSat
will carry 100 grams of salt and disperse it 40 times during flight. The salt will be dispersed by
sifting salt through a funnel with a servo on the base to regulate flow. A GoPro will point toward
the ground to watch the particle dispersal and watch for cloud formation. Our goal is to test
reliability (will all mechanisms work without jamming?) and the ultimate effectiveness of a
balloon based particle dispersal system. The method will be proven ‘effective’ if a cloud can be
seen from GoPro footage.
We will then compare the ‘effective’ results of the physical experiment with the data on
humidity, temperature, and pressure to formulate a conclusive result. In our knowledge, no such
experiment has been performed, and our findings should be completely original. We hope to be
able to achieve ‘effective’ data in several different subareas. First and foremost, we hope to
prove the feasibility and cost effectiveness of balloon sourced cloud seeding at standard cloud
seeding altitude. The next goal is to find data on the efficacy of cloud seeding at higher altitudes.
If this is proven useful, it could have major effect on cloud seeding as a whole. If water vapor
exists at high altitudes and the salt can still attract the vapor at lower temperatures, then this
experiment could reveal a previously untapped source of water.
WHY WE PROPOSE THIS EXPERIMENT:
Although the method is not particularly well known, cloud seeding is well practiced. One
common use is to encourage precipitation during drought. One of the most recent applications of
this initiative was in China, where the government attempted to alleviate one of its worst
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
droughts in decades with cloud seeding. After seeding, however, the temperature dropped
significantly, resulting in a blizzard. "Officials said their cloud-seeding program directly caused
the snowstorm. Engineers blasted more than 400 cigarette-size sticks of silver iodide into the sky
shortly before the storm, and a senior engineer told Reuters that it was 'a procedure that made the
snow a lot heavier...' The blizzard caused 12 area highways around Beijing to close," (Does
cloud seeding work?). Cloud seeding is even used for the opposite purpose, to alleviate rain or
cloud cover. In another instance in Beijing, officials had promised clear skies for the 2008
summer Olympics, and "The Chinese government seeded clouds ahead of the 2008 Olympics
opening ceremony to create a downpour elsewhere and keep the stadium dry. This involved
firing rockets packed with silver iodide crystals into rain clouds over the suburbs of Beijing"
(Why won't the UK make the sun shine for the Olympics). Another use for cloud seeding is at
airports, where ground fog and clouds are far more dangerous to landing planes than rain, so
cloud seeding is used to cause the clouds to precipitate and dissipate. Yet another use for cloud
seeding is for recreational purposes, notably in ski areas. Vail Resorts, for instance, frequently
seeds clouds with silver iodide to encourage snowfall.
Further research in cloud seeding can have long-lasting and global impact. Almost all
locations in the world are at one point or another affected by drought or can benefit from
additional precipitation. It is cost efficient as well, as the cost of materials and implementation is
fairly cheap, even on a large scale, and the resulting precipitation can save significantly more
money than the cost of cloud seeding itself. The issue strikes particularly close to home here in
Colorado, both with the recent drought and the numerous ski resorts in the state dependant on
snowfall. If our experiment proves successful, it may reveal the possibility for even further cloud
seeding opportunities in areas which it may not have been previously feasible.
Sources Cited:
1. "Clouds and Precipitation." http://www.rkdn.org/outdoors/w4.htm4
2. "Does cloud seeding work?" http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=cloudseeding-china-snow
3. "Weather Modification Services." http://www.nawcinc.com/wm.html
4. "Why won't the UK make the sun shine for the Olympics" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ukpolitics-1881794
TECHNICAL OVERVIEW (HOW):
MATERIALS AND HARDWARE:
We will use standard foam core to construct our housing. The BalloonSat will be a
standard cube (sides of 15 cm), pieced together with hot glue. The housing will then be insulated
using thermal foil on the outside surfaces and will be heated with the provided heater. Conical
metal containers will be used to house the salt powder and funnel it into the hole where it will be
released from the BalloonSat. The mechanism to release the powder will consist of an oscillating
triangular aluminum plate controlled by a Servo, which will block the flow of salt out of the
container except when prompted to move. The base plate on which the oscillating plate will rest
will also be made out of a 3mm thick aluminum sheet and will assure that the triangular piece
can oscillate smoothly against its surface. The funnel will be supported by cross wires so that it
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
does not fall over or get shaken or broken in flight. We will make sure that the salt will not fall
out of the cone by securing a lid on the top of it.
Provided to the team are the HOBO data logger, the temperature and humidity sensors,
the digital camera, the Arduino Uno board, and the heater. The team will use the provided budget
of $250 to purchase the sheet aluminum, the funnel container, the Servos, and the milled salt
powder. The GoPro will be provided at zero cost to the team for educational purpose.
LIST OF MATERIALS:
Digital camera
Pressure sensor
Switches
Hot glue
GoPro camera
Funnel/Container
Provided
2GB memory card
Arduino UNO
3 axis accelerometer
Humidity sensor
Foam core
Flight batteries
Velcro
Insulation
Bought/Acquired
Aluminum plate
Servos
Anemometer
Temperature sensors
Heater kit
Aluminum tape
Milled Salt Powder
SATELLITE MODEL:
ANEMOMETE
R
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
FUNCTIONAL BLOCK DIAGRAM:
DATA RETRIEVAL:
The HOBO, GoPro, and digital camera will collect data from ground all the way up to
apogee. Data will be stored within each respective device, and retrieved and uploaded after the
balloon returns to the ground. The GoPro and digital camera will each be equipped with an SD
memory card to record the images and video of the flight.
Data from the HOBO (outside temperature and humidity) will be compared to previously
collected temperature data to determine altitude. During flight, the mechanism will release small
quantities of milled sodium chloride (approximately 1 cubic centimeter per release) at 3-minute
time intervals. The GoPro camera will be recording the entire time and will capture the release of
the sodium chloride. The video will then be reviewed to determine the effectiveness of the
mechanism.
Before launch, each system will be tested for quality assurance as well as to make sure
that data is transferable between sensor and computer. Data from the HOBO will be loaded into
the HOBO software in order to analyze the graphs. Images and video from the cameras will be
loaded onto a computer and reviewed by the team members.
SATELLITE TESTING:
Testing the satellite is crucial to the mission to ensure that all systems function properly
when the satellite is out of our hands and launched into the air. Thus, each test will be conducted
thoroughly and repeatedly in order to ensure that all systems will function in the conditions the
satellite will experience during flight.
CAMERA TESTING:
In order to test the functionality of the dual-camera system, we will turn the system on for
a full two hours, simulating the duration of the actual flight. For this time, the BalloonSat will be
left on a table undisturbed. The digital camera will take pictures at one-minute intervals and the
GoPro will film for the entire two hours. The cameras will record to their respective SD cards,
and we will upload the data to a computer to ensure that the cameras and memory cards operated
correctly during the test.
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
HOBO TESTING:
Once we receive our sensors and heaters, we will run tests to ensure that all systems
function properly. First we will turn the HOBO on, so that it will begin taking data. We will
expose the temperature sensors to a refrigerator, freezer, and to our own BalloonSat heater. To
ensure that the data is recorded properly, we will record five sets of data of five minute durations
each. We will expose the humidity sensor to varying humidity levels by breathing on the sensor
and testing it in humid areas such as bathrooms filled with steam from showers. Each sensor will
be tested again in the final sensor check on the day of launch to ensure that all systems are ready.
HEATER TESTING:
Upon completing the heater, we will test its functionality by placing it in a closed in a
box and activating it for one hour. After this time, we will remove the heater from the box to
confirm that it is still functioning. We will also test the heater during the cooler test to see how
much power the heater will require to keep the satellite at a functional internal temperature. The
heater will be installed onto the ceiling of the box near the Arduino Uno board, the component
which will be most susceptible to the colder temperatures at altitude.
ANEMOMETER TESTING:
The Anemometer will measure wind speed on the outside of the BalloonSat. We will test the
anemometer system by driving in a car with a voltmeter connected to the turbine. With the
voltmeter data, we will record the speed to determine if it matches up with the speed of the car.
On windless days we will test the turbine while driving 10, 25, and 45 mph, three times each.
SCIENCE TESTING:
POWDER RELEASE SYSTEM TEST: We will create our own delivery system to release the powder used
to seed the clouds. We expect to modify and tune the system so that it will disperse the powder at
the desired altitudes without failure. The goal is to have a system that releases a portion of the
satellite’s stored powder at certain altitude intervals. Our initial tests will be run without powder
to make sure that the mechanism works. We will then run short tests with the powder in funnel,
to make sure that the Servo arm does not get caught and that the powder releases in the proper
amounts. Our final test will run for 90 minutes to simulate a long flight time and make sure every
part of the system acts as expected and the programming works without fail.
COOLER TEST: Once we have ensured that the powder release system works properly at ground
level, we must test to make sure that the same systems still function at higher altitudes, and thus
lower temperatures. We will use a cooler filled with dry ice to bring the atmospheric temperature
inside the cooler to simulate the temperatures encountered at the altitudes reached by the
satellite. When the temperature inside the cooler reaches to, or below the expected temperature
encountered by the balloon, we will run the program of the satellite and place it in the cooler.
After leaving the satellite in the cooler for the same time as the duration of the flight, we will
measure how much powder was released, make a window into the cooler to visually observe the
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
system working under cooler temperatures, or have a camera on the inside or looking into the
cooler for a visual observation.
In conjunction with our science testing, we will be observing how the sensors, heater,
satellite, and its internals withstand the adverse temperatures.
STRUCTURAL TESTING:
DROP TEST: Once the structure is completed, we will begin testing its integrity by dropping it from
several stories. Beginning with one story, and progressing higher and higher until the satellite has
a major failure or we are confident that we have exceeded the situational requirements. We will
also include weights inside the satellite to simulate the weight of our components to better
simulate the scenario. Based on the results, or the damage, from these tests, we can improve our
structural design to better protect its contents. Once we have a design that exceeds situational
requirements, we will proceed testing the system as a whole.
TUMBLE TEST: In addition to the drop test, we will toss the satellite down several flights of stairs
with weights to observe how the structure will hold and protect its contents. This test also shows
how well or poorly everything will be secured inside the satellite. If anything breaks loose, the
part itself will fail its mission and possibly damage the other contents of the satellite and damage
more systems.
WHIP TEST: Finally, to ensure that the satellite will remain attached to the balloon rope, we will
test to ensure that the pipe used to hold the satellite to the rope will adhere to the satellite even
under extreme whiplash conditions. Once a desirable structure is selected, we will put the
satellite at the end of a string, attached exactly like it would be to the balloon rope, and test its
whip strength. We will take the apparatus to an overhang, hold it over the edge, and violently
swing the satellite back and forth to ensure its stability.
HOW WE WILL PREVENT INJURIES:
Team Up, Up and Away will take precautions in each step of its experiments to ensure
the safety of all of its own team members as well as bystanders around them. When soldering,
team members will wear safety goggles at all times. When involved in hazardous experiments,
the team will take all precautionary measures such as getting explicit approval from faculty of
the labs, wearing proper attire, and gathering all necessary equipment. When performing the
structural and environmental testing such as the whip test and the drop test, the team will make
sure to perform these tests in an open space away from bystanders and other students, and all
tests will be monitored by a minimum of two team members. The whip test will be done away
from all windows and fragile structures, and the BalloonSat will not be dropped from any heights
higher than 40 feet.
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
SPECIAL FEATURES OF OUR BALLOONSAT:
On Team Up, Up and Away’s BalloonSat, two containers and two oscillating
mechanisms operated by Servos are installed which will work together to dispense milled
sodium chloride. The success of these devices will determine the success of the mission, as the
purpose is to test the feasibility of balloon-based cloud seeding. This relies on the function of the
funnels and mechanisms operated by the Servos. A GoProTM video camera is oriented to film
below the BalloonSat in order to document the dispensing of the sodium chloride. Also included
is an anemometer to measure the wind speed at each moment that sodium chloride is released.
MANAGEMENT AND COST OVERVIEW:
TEAM MEMBERS AND ROLES:
Trevor Arrasmith
Ty Bailey
Cameron Coupe
Samuel Frakes
Brandon Harris
Carolyn Mason
Soo Rin Park
Peter VanderKley
-
Science and Documentation
Design and Design Illustration
Programming
Team Leader
Electrical
Electronics
Structures
Structure
Science and Documentation
Electrical
Programming
Programming
Structures
SCHEDULE:
Design Complete: 09/27
Proposal Due: 09/28
Conceptual Design Review: 10/02
Authority to Proceed: 10/05
All Hardware Acquired: 10/10
Basic Test of Hardware: 10/17
Pre-Review: 10/18
Begin Structure Build: 10/20
Begin Electronics Build: 10/20
Finish Structure Build: 10/28
Whip, Stair, and Drop Test: 10/28
Finish Electronics/System testing: 11/3
Dry Ice Test: 11/4
Trouble Shoot: 11/10-11/11
Demo Mission Test: 11/13
Start Compilation for Final Report: 11/1511/27
Launch Readiness Review: 11/27
Last minute Emergency Fixes: 11/28-11/29
Final BallonSat Weigh-in: 11/30
Launch: 12/01
BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT COST:
Item
9v batteries
HS 430BH Servo
Aluminum Bare Sheet
12” by 12” by 0.249”
Quantity
10
2
2
Cost
$21
$28
$44.52
Place of Purchase
Walmart
ServoCity.com
OnlineMetals.com
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
Tin Funnels
Sodium Chloride
Powder
Dry Ice
Mathmos Wind Light
GoPro
Cannon Camera
9v batteries
HOBO Data Logger
Switches
Heater
Foam Core For
Testing
Total Cost
2
500 grams
$10
$40
McMaster.com
ArtChemicals.com
15lbs
1
1
1
3
1
2
1
1
$16
$19
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
King Soopers
Lamplust.com
Donated
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
Provided
$198.52
WEIGHT BUDGET:
Item
9v Batteries
Aluminum Plates
Servos
Sodium Chloride
Tin Funnels
Mathmos Wind Light
GoPro
Cannon Camera
HOBO Data Logger
Heater
Foam Core and
Structure
Total
Quantity
3
4
2
100g
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
Weight
114g
150g
91g
100g
50g
10g
150g
130g
30g
100g
200g
1125g
ABOUT THE TEAM:
Trevor Arrasmith:
Special Skills: Graphic Design, 3D Design, Multimedia Editing, Carpentry
Trevor was born and raised in Longmont, Colorado. His hobbies include ping-pong, tennis, and working
with various computer programs. He is studying Aerospace Engineering.
Ty Bailey:
Special Skills: Programming, Electronics, Robotics
Ty was born in The Woodlands, Texas but has lived and traveled to most parts of the world. His interests
are in Science Fiction and Fantasy novels, drawing, robotics, nature, and gaming. Ty is majoring in
Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology (MCDB) with a minor in Astronomy.
Cameron Coupe:
Special Skills: Excel, Basic Circuits, Running
Cameron was born in Longmont Colorado and has lived there his whole life. He enjoys the outdoors,
acting, singing, Estes Park, rockets, good movies, and baseball. He is studying aerospace engineering.
Samuel Frakes:
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B.O.S.S. – Balloon-Operated Seeding System
Special Skills: Writing, Skiing, Singing
Sam was born and raised in Bellingham. He enjoys skiing, the outdoors, and making people laugh. He is
studying Aerospace Engineering.
Brandon Harris:
Special Skills: Photoshop and shop tools
Brandon Harris was born in Denver, and currently lives in Breckenridge, Colorado. He enjoys reading,
mathematics, all sports, and is a competitive ski racer. He is studying Aerospace Engineering.
Carolyn Mason:
Special Skills: Excel, SolidWorks, Photoshop, and machine shop
Carolyn was born and raised in Dallas Texas. She likes art, robots, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.
Carolyn is studying Aerospace Engineering.
Soo Rin Park:
Special Skills: Photoshop, Illustrator, Piano
Soo was born in Seoul, Korea. She moved to U.S. in January of 2008. She loves listening to music,
watching movies, and playing piano.
Peter VanderKley:
Special Skill: Building
Peter was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He studies Aerospace Engineering, and enjoys
mountain biking, skiing, airsofting, and cooking. He is in Air Force ROTC and performed a solo flight in
a Cessna-17
Contact Information
Trevor Arrasmith
Ty Bailey
Cameron Coupe
Samuel Frakes
Brandon Harris
Carolyn Mason
Soo Rin Park
Peter VanderKley
9632 Stearns West Hall
Boulder, CO 80310
2525 Arapahoe Ave E4-548
Boulder, CO 80302
1314 South Pratt Parkway
Longmont, CO 80501
9024 Andrews Hall
Boulder, CO 80310
9032 Aden Hall,
Boulder, CO, 80310
9127 Andrews Hall
Boulder, CO 80310
9026 Aden Hall
Boulder, CO 80310
9072 Arnett Hall
Boulder, CO 80310
720-301-0237
832-623-4176
303-678-8274
360-927-6269
303-949-1254
214-675-6302
720-207-4362
302-383-2559
HOW TEAM UP, UP AND AWAY WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE RFP:
As a team, we will hold regular meetings twice a week to ensure that every member is
consistently up to date with any design changes, additions, or developments in the project. In
addition to this, members can contact each other via text, phone call, or through the team
Facebook group. Tasks are divided fairly and logically by the strengths of each team member,
while still allowing for any member to work on any part of the project he/she desires.
Team Up, Up and Away
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