High Altitude Balloon
Multi-Payload Project
Critical Design Review
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Project Manager: Ciara Waldron
Payload Integration & Systems Lead: Nicole Pinto
Presented by the Women in Aerospace for
Leadership and Development (WIALD)
Background
• ASE 102: Introduction to Aerospace Course
– Taught by Dr. Hans Mark
• New version of ASE 102 should include hands on aspect
• CU Boulder’s BalloonSAT Program
– Edge of Space Sciences (EOSS) Group
• UT BalloonSAT Program?
What is a BalloonSAT?
Typical Flight Configuration
Helium Balloon
Parachute
Spreader
Payload #1
Payload #2
Mission
• Launch a high altitude balloon to an altitude of 100,000 feet or higher
(“Near Space”)
• Capture video/photos
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Balloon Launch
Ascent
Edge of Space!
Burst and Descent
• Capture atmospheric temperature data
• Track and Retrieve Payloads and Data
What is “Near Space”?
• Space starts at roughly 328,000 feet
• Depending on size, high altitude balloons can reach between 100,000
and 140,000 feet
• Pressure at sea level ≈ 14.7 PSI
• Pressure at 100,000 feet ≤ 0.16 PSI
• Over 99% of the atmosphere is below us!
• Temperatures in a high altitude balloon flight range from surface
temperatures to as low as -89 ˚F
• Radiation is very high – materials degrade quickly
Mission ConOps
Program
Hardware
Testing
Balloon
Preparation
Payload
Integration
Balloon
Launch
Dry Ice –
Temperature
Simulations
Clean Drop
Cloth, Gloves
Parachute
Count Down
Checklist
Trajectory
Simulations
Fill with
Helium
Spreader
Post Burst
Chaos
Power Trials
Black Cable
Ties
Payload #1
Full Payload
Testing
Tether Line
Payload #2
Refinement
Long Term
Result
Analysis
Immediate
Result
Analysis
Tracking /
Locating
Oooh, ahhh
APRS.fi
GPS
Helium
• Helium is the most popular gas used to fill balloons since is
lighter than air
• Helium is safe to use since it doesn’t burn or react with other
chemicals
• The weight of helium is .1785 Grams/Liter
• Hydrogen is also use in balloons since is lighter than helium
with a weight of .08988 Grams/Liter but is not as popular
since it has a much higher fire risk than helium
• A cubic feet of helium can lift approximated 28.2 grams
• to find out how much helium we need, we determine the
volume of the balloon 4/3 *pi*r^3 and we multiply it by 28.2
grams
Balloon and Parachute
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8245-H Weather Balloon
1600 Grams Natural
Neck Diameter: 8.3 cm
Un-inflated Diameter: 72 in.
Standard Inflated Diameter: 22 ft.
Burst Diameter: 27 ft.
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Payload Recovery Parachute
6 ft. diameter
Low-porosity 1.1 Rip-stop Nylon
Sizes chosen based on tabulated
descent rates and payload weights
Payload Structures
• Styrofoam
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Inexpensive
Works well as an insulator
Lightweight
Typically used in ballooning
• Black Paint
• Duct Tape
Payload Systems Overview
Accelerometers
Temperature Sensors
Cameras
Lithium Batteries
HOBO:
Accelerometer, Temperature
Probe/Light Intensity Meter,
Cameras
Team Lead: Ashleigh Caison
Team Members: Susanne Plaisted, George Sammy, Isha
Patel, Alexandra Williams, Denise Salazar
HOBO Pendant
Accelerometer UA-004-64
• Features:
– 3-Axis, measures ±3G
– Waterproof
– Operates in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Celsius
• Power:
– 1 3V lithium battery
– Operates for up to one year (7 days in Fast mode)
• Data Storage:
– 21.8K readings in memory
– Logs as fast as every 1 second
• Chosen for easy data readout, easy programming
HOBO Pendant
Temperature Probe/Light Intensity
Meter UA-002-08
• Features:
– Measures temperatures -20 to 70 degrees Celsius
– Waterproof
• Power:
– 1.3V lithium battery
– Operates for up to one year
• Data Storage:
– 3.5K readings to memory
– Logs every 7 seconds
• Chosen for easy data readout, easy programming
Accelerometer and
Temperature Probe
58 x 33 x 23 mm
HOBO Software
Canon Powershot SD1300
• Features:
– 12.1 MP
– Pointed out and down
– Programmed using Canon Hack Development Kit (CHDK)
• Power:
– Lithium-ion battery
• Data Storage:
– Stores to SD card
Canon
Jazz HDV189 Hi-Def
Deluxe Video Camcorder
• Features:
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8 MP
Pointed up at the balloon
Chosen on recommendation
10 x 7 x 4 inches
• Power:
– Lithium-ion battery
• Data Storage:
– 65 MB internal memory, SD card slot up to 32 GB
Mass Budget
Model of Payload
Current Status
• Accomplishments:
– Know how to set start time for HOBOs
– Know how to download data from HOBOs (software
graphs it automatically)
• Work to be completed:
– Understand the CHDK process
– Write a script in CHDK for the Canon
– Receive the Jazz camera and determine next steps
from there
– Testing components
Team Go-Pro
Team Leaders: Natalie Maka and Patil Tabanian
Team Members: Shenwei Chang, Leyna Achee, Chantel Flores, Emily Hacopian,
Enakshi Wikramanayake, Rebekah Voigt, Stephanie Uwagbai
Evaluation Board
Features
• ADXL345 Triple Axis Accelerometer Installed
• MicroSD Card Socket for FAT32/FAT16 Data
Logging
• USB Connector for Serial Communication
• 2xAA battery sockets to power board
• Pre-installed firmware logs ADXL345 outputs
and allows to read/write registers via USB
Basic Dimensions
69.85 x 68.56 x 1.91 mm3
Mass and Power
24g (without batteries)
Powered by 2 AA batteries that are 23g each
Temperature Probe
Features
• -35 to +80°C (-31 to +176°F) Measurement
Range
• USB Interface for Set-up and Data Download
• 2 User-Programmable Alarm Thresholds
• Bright Red, Green and Orange LED Indication
• Replaceable Internal Lithium Battery
• IP 67 Protection (protected against dust;
protected against liquid immersion up to 1m)
Basic Dimensions
Section 1: 22.86 Diameter x 47.625 length mm3
Section 2: 21.59 Diameter x 37.465 length mm3
Mass and Power
81.644g
3.6V, 1200mAh Internal Lithium Battery
Go-Pro Camera
Features
• Professional Quality, Full HD
Video
• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, Built
in Battery Warmer
• Shockproof, Bombproof,
Waterproof to 197’ / 60m
Basic Dimensions
60.96 x 30.48 x 40.64 mm3
Mass and Power
94g (including battery)
1100mAh Lithium-ion Battery
Go-Pro Battery BacPac
Features
• Attaches to the back of
camera, allowing for up to 2X*
extended record times
Go-Pro
Camera
Basic Dimensions
60.96 x 5.08 x 40.64 mm3
Mass and Power
198.447g
Lithium-ion Battery
Battery BacPac
27
Total Mass and Power
Total Mass
Total Power
398.091 g  0.8776 lbs
13.8 V
(without Battery BacPac)
Payload (Aerial)
Evaluation Board
Temperature
Probe
Basic Dimensions:
8 x 8 x 10 in3
GoPro Camera
and Battery
BacPac
Payload (Side)
Go-Pro Camera’s Lens
Payload (Angled Aerial)
Current Status
• Accomplishments to date:
• We have started to program the ADXL345 Evaluation Board using the
Arduino Software and we are still learning how to read the acceleration
data from ADXL345.
• We have researched and found a way to record video longer and how to get
the most out of our battery.
• The Go-Pro Battery BacPac will allow our camera to record twice as long (the
manufacture states a battery life of 5 hours).
• We have tested the Gro-Pro’s actual battery life (without the BacPac) and it
lasts under 2.5 hours while the manufacture claims 2.5 hours.
• (R4 recorded for 2 hours and 19 mins and R1 recorded for 2 hours and 12
mins).
• We understand how each component works individually: how it logs data,
it’s battery capacity, etc.
Work to be Completed
• We still need to determine where to place the temperature probe:
either mounted on top or placed inside the payload with vents to
expose it to the environmental temperature.
• We need to program the code for the ADXL345 Evaluation Board
to output information that can be easily read and understood.
• We need to still test all the components in extreme environments.
We will run our components it in a test box with dry ice and then
shock the components by then placing them in a pre-heated
oven.
• We still need to decide on the best resolution for the Go-Pro
camera while considering the battery life.
• We need to test the camera with the battery BacPac as soon as it
is shipped to us and see it’s actual battery life.
Pressure Sensor
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Pressure sensors have recently been added to our list of sensors onboard.
Unfortunately, for the HOBO products this means it requires a separate data
logger – driving the price up.
Sparkfun has a barometric pressure sensor that could be integrated into the
breakout board with complicated coding.
APRS Tracking
• APRS = Automatic Packet Reporting System
– Amateur radio-based system for real time position and altitude
reporting, standard APRS Frequency
– Allows tracking online at http://aprs.fi or via any APRS Tracker
• Balloon Package:
– Transmits balloon position and altitude
– Micro-Trak RTG FA High Altitude Combo
– V2 Antenna
• Chase Vehicle Package:
– Transmits vehicle position, receives APRS data to track balloon
– 2m HAM Radio: Yaesu FT-7900R  transmits vehicle position
– TinyTrack 4 w/ Display shows: speed and direction of balloon,
distance and direction to balloon, call sign, and altitude
– Garmin GPS-V – Shows balloon/payload relative to your position in
the vehicle, can be removed from vehicle to track on the ground!
Current Status
• Accomplishments to date:
• Choosing components for:
• Balloon transmitter system
• Chase Vehicle Transmitter / Receiver System
• We have tested the MicroTrak RTG unit
• We have programmed the Garmin GPS V with Texas maps
Work to be Completed
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Continue testing/learning how to operate radio & equipment
Connect TinyTrack4 to display by soldering adapter cable
Build case for TinyTrack 4 (APRS Tracker) Display
Connect all components to create chase vehicle setup
GPS
TT4
DISPLAY
Keyboard
RADIO
To summarize:
• Radio transmits vehicle position to APRS
• TT4 receives balloon/payload position from APRS
• Display shows balloon/payload position info
• Keyboard can be used to control TT4
• GPS shows how to get from where the vehicle is
to where the payloads are
HAM Radio Licenses
• Several WIALD members took on the challenge of becoming certified
amateur operators so we could use APRS to track our balloon
• So many possibilities exist in the amateur radio community
• Life-long hobby for many of us…
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Vanity call signs
License plates
Fun payloads
Contesting
Calling the ISS
SPOT Messenger
• A satellite based Global Positioning System
• Used as an alternative when radio frequencies cannot be
transmitted/received.
• Transmitter must always be positioned skywards, this gimbal
configuration allows for the SPOT to communicate with satellites no
matter the orientation of the payload.
FAA Regulations
• High altitude balloons fall under the U.S. Federal Aviation Regulations
(FAR) Part 101 related to unmanned free balloons, key points:
– Total lofted weight must be < 12 lbs.
– Each payload package must be < 6 lbs.
– Don’t launch near restricted airspace or heavily populated areas
• Technically, under these regulations, we are not even required to notify
the FAA… but we intend to be good citizens anyway:
– Notify the FAA about 1 week before the launch
– Give them instructions on how to use http://aprs.fi and offer to give details
on proposed flight and tracking
So, how do we pick where to launch?
DFW Area Airspace
Austin Area Airspace
Trajectory Simulation
• Ball track:
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Used for simulating your flight from known wind data
Enter your Flight Data:
Lat / Long
Date / Time of your Launch
Expected Ascent Rate
Expected Burst
Expected Descent Rate
See your expected route and landing zone
• http://nearspaceventures.com/w3Baltrak/readyget.pl
• http://weather.uwyo.edu/polar/balloon_traj.html
• http://habhub.org/predict/
Cambridge Tool:
How does it measure up?
Flight looks plausible. But further investigation is necessary.
47
Mass Budget
Item
Mass
Contingency (10%)
Total Mass
Total Weight
HOBO - T Probe
21.30 g
2.13 g
23.43 g
0.052 lbs
HOBO - Accelerometer
21.30 g
2.13 g
23.43 g
0.052 lbs
190.00 g
19.00 g
209.00 g
0.461 lbs
GoPro - Accelerometer
24.00 g
2.40 g
26.40 g
0.058 lbs
GoPro - EB Batteries
46.00 g
4.60 g
50.60 g
0.112 lbs
GoPro - T Probe
81.64 g
8.16 g
89.81 g
0.198 lbs
GoPro - Camera
94.00 g
9.40 g
103.40 g
0.228 lbs
MicroTrak RTG GPS
200.00 g
20.00 g
220.00 g
0.485 lbs
Spot Messenger
147.40 g
14.74 g
162.14 g
0.357 lbs
Mounting Hardware
250.00 g
25.00 g
275.00 g
0.606 lbs
Structures
500.00 g
25.00 g
525.00 g
1.157 lbs
1708.21 g
3.766 lbs
HOBO - Cameras
Total
Margin
Max
8.234 lbs
12.000 lbs
Financial Budget
Level 2
Quantity Cost per Unit
1.0 Launch Package
1.1 Balloon
1.2 Parachute
1.3 Structures
1.4 Garmin GPS
1.5 Helium
2.0 Payloads
2.1 Team HOBO
2.1.1 Camera
2.1.2 Accelerometer
2.1.3 Temperature sensor
2.1.4 Optic USB Base Station for Pendant
2.2 Team GOPro
2.2.1 Camera
2.2.2 Accelerometer
2.2.3 Temperature sensor
2.2.4 Data Logger
3.0 Communication
3.1 Micro-Trak RTG FA High Altitude Combo
3.2 V2 Antenna
3.3 Amateur Ham Radio 50W/45W Transceiver
3.4 TinyTrak4 Built and Tested with Case
3.5 TinyTrak4D Display
3.6. TinyTrak4 Cable M96C
4.0 Miscellaneous
5.0 Shipping
6.0 Current best estimate
7.0 Contengency (10%)
8.0 Total Project Cost
9.0 Margin
Overall Project Budget
1
1
1
1
1
Level 1
Total Cost
$ 515.00
$ 120.00
$ 55.00
$ 50.00
$ 40.00
$ 250.00
$ 581.00
$ 312.00
1
1
1
1
$ 130.00
$ 75.00
$ 42.00
$ 65.00
1
1
1
1
$ 149.00
$ 15.00
$ 60.00
$ 45.00
1
1
1
1
1
1
$ 250.00
$ 19.00
$ 310.00
$ 75.00
$ 24.00
$ 19.00
$ 60.00
$ 269.00
$ 757.00
$ 50.00
$ 80.00
$ 1983.00
$ 198.30
$ 2181.30
$ 1818.70
$ 4000.00
Thank you for all of
your support!
Questions?