Team Ramrod Final Presentation Dan Armel, Michaela Cui, Andrew Grimaldi, Kyle Kemble, Silvia Peckham, Chris Sawyer & Kelsey Whitesell 6 th December 2007

Mission Overview –Mission Statement: To construct a balloon payload that travels to an altitude of 30km, during ascent the payload will collect data on the intensity of light in both the infrared and visible spectrums. –The data would attempt to discover the levels of light at high altitude to provide proof of concept to the notion of a telescope mounted on a high altitude platform. –Mission Statement: To construct a balloon payload that travels to an altitude of 30km, during ascent the payload will collect data on the intensity of light in both the infrared and visible spectrums. –The data would attempt to discover the levels of light at high altitude to provide proof of concept to the notion of a telescope mounted on a high altitude platform.

RFP Compliance -Construct a payload to test the intensity of infrared light -The financial budget had $70.00 to spare -Took data from the photometer and stored it on board the payload -Implemented the photometer designs provided by Yorke Brown -Construct a payload to test the intensity of infrared light -The financial budget had $70.00 to spare -Took data from the photometer and stored it on board the payload -Implemented the photometer designs provided by Yorke Brown

Final Product Deviation -Only able to fly a photometer designed to collect infrared data. -Due to weight constraints -Mass budget exceeded due to the science payload. -Use of modular sections as opposed to booms and collapsing arm. -Use of provided insulation versus Aspen Aerogel insulation. - -Only able to fly a photometer designed to collect infrared data. -Due to weight constraints -Mass budget exceeded due to the science payload. -Use of modular sections as opposed to booms and collapsing arm. -Use of provided insulation versus Aspen Aerogel insulation. -

Budget & Design

Results and Analysis –Sky Brightness at all altitudes found to be at or above W/m 2 -sr –Results limited by Basic Stamp’s code: only checks saturation of integrating capacitor every.1 seconds Expected lower brightness – on the order of tenths of a second but greater than.1 seconds integration time (between and W/m 2 -sr) –Possible reasons for higher brightness: »Lower to ground took data-earth emits a lot of IR »Filter allowed in over 50% of light between nm »Clouds reflecting IR and scattering visible –Data taken from 0-13,716 m instead of 0 -30,480 m due to lower than anticipated vertical ascent rate Results and Analysis –Sky Brightness at all altitudes found to be at or above W/m 2 -sr –Results limited by Basic Stamp’s code: only checks saturation of integrating capacitor every.1 seconds Expected lower brightness – on the order of tenths of a second but greater than.1 seconds integration time (between and W/m 2 -sr) –Possible reasons for higher brightness: »Lower to ground took data-earth emits a lot of IR »Filter allowed in over 50% of light between nm »Clouds reflecting IR and scattering visible –Data taken from 0-13,716 m instead of 0 -30,480 m due to lower than anticipated vertical ascent rate

Data Graphs and Tables

Conclusions: –Sky brightness for wavelengths of 560 nm and above, though mostly IR, at altitudes from 0 and 13,716 m is at or below W/m^2-sr –Further experimentation at higher altitudes and with a shorter Basic Stamp time integral is necessary to determine exact sky brightness and fluctuations with altitude Conclusions: –Sky brightness for wavelengths of 560 nm and above, though mostly IR, at altitudes from 0 and 13,716 m is at or below W/m^2-sr –Further experimentation at higher altitudes and with a shorter Basic Stamp time integral is necessary to determine exact sky brightness and fluctuations with altitude

Lessons Learned –Time is your enemy –Even when launch is +70 days away –This project requires much more time than anticipated –The simple designs work the most reliably –Do not try to reinvent the wheel –Never play the margins, always allot for more data collection than necessary –Cooperation is key, and everyone has an opinion –Know your strengths and do not try to do what you are not capable of completing –Time is your enemy –Even when launch is +70 days away –This project requires much more time than anticipated –The simple designs work the most reliably –Do not try to reinvent the wheel –Never play the margins, always allot for more data collection than necessary –Cooperation is key, and everyone has an opinion –Know your strengths and do not try to do what you are not capable of completing

Ready to fly –HOBO: –Wire was severed to take internal temperature data and humidity. –Solution: Procure a new data logger –HP Camera: –No data was taken on flight and the lithium batteries were leaking after removal from housing. –Solution: Replace batteries and run a systems test to insure functionality –Batteries: –Due to use the batteries for the heating system, timing circuit, photometer, and BASIC Stamp need to be replaced. –Solution: Obtain 9 volt (Qty:4), 12 volt (Qty:5) –HOBO: –Wire was severed to take internal temperature data and humidity. –Solution: Procure a new data logger –HP Camera: –No data was taken on flight and the lithium batteries were leaking after removal from housing. –Solution: Replace batteries and run a systems test to insure functionality –Batteries: –Due to use the batteries for the heating system, timing circuit, photometer, and BASIC Stamp need to be replaced. –Solution: Obtain 9 volt (Qty:4), 12 volt (Qty:5)

To Those Who Follow Us –Must meet two times a week –Even in the design phase –Acoms Razor: the simplest solution tends to be the correct one. –A simple design is much easier to implement –Glue and tape weigh much more than you may think. –Metal is not necessarily the best material to use for this project. –Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Be creative, but do not dig yourselves into a hole. –“Don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.” -Gen. George S. Patton –This will make sense when you pull up to the payloads at 70mph on a dirt road hoping for data. –It is pronounced “Professor KAY LER” not “Professor COALER” –The only coal you will encounter is in Rocket Boys –Must meet two times a week –Even in the design phase –Acoms Razor: the simplest solution tends to be the correct one. –A simple design is much easier to implement –Glue and tape weigh much more than you may think. –Metal is not necessarily the best material to use for this project. –Do not try to reinvent the wheel. Be creative, but do not dig yourselves into a hole. –“Don’t measure a man’s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits bottom.” -Gen. George S. Patton –This will make sense when you pull up to the payloads at 70mph on a dirt road hoping for data. –It is pronounced “Professor KAY LER” not “Professor COALER” –The only coal you will encounter is in Rocket Boys