Metropolitan State University Isaac Hamilton Jordan Gallegos Christopher Olson McMillan Miskin Daniel Koch Thomas Mindenhall Cody Overcash March 27, 2009

Outline  Mission Overview  Payload Compliance  Payload Design  Balloon Interface  Heating System  Camera System  Accelerometer System  Structural and Thermal Properties  Testing and Results  Price List

Mission Overview Our objective is to send a weather balloon with a payload to an altitude of one hundred thousand feet. It will capture still photographs and record acceleration forces during the three- hour flight as well as subsequent impact with the ground. The team expects to meet all objectives while maintaining a budget of eight hundred dollars. Amateur high altitude weather balloons are becoming more popular. Many people have used weather balloons to obtain dust samples and also to take aerial photography from the edge of space.

Payload User Guide Compliance Mass- 1.5 kg (Total Payload) Payload mass is 1.368kg  Determination of G-loads upon landing  Accelerometer is capable of measuring 3 G’s at a rate of 1 sample every 0.6 seconds totaling measurements during the flight  On-board photography during entire flight  Cameras will take 1000 pictures over the duration of the flight Balloon Interface Payload attaches through strong center pipe that holds the whole system together

Payload Design Outward faced camera Accelerometer Heating resistors Downward faced camera Clamping tube Top Middle section Base

Balloon Interface Lock nut PVC tube Payload top Tether

Heating System Heating Resistors 9 volt Batteries

Wiring Diagram for Resistor Heater 33 ohm resistors 9 volt

We will be using two Canon A570IS cameras to take pictures throughout the flight. The A570IS camera takes pictures at 7.1MP. The cameras are currently both running a script via CHDK to take pictures at intervals of 10 seconds for the entire flight (4GB card, max 4mb/picture, estimated 3 hr flight).CHDK The interval script has been tested and it is running fine. Shutter speed will be adjusted to a fast setting via CHDK assuming there are no conflicts between doing this and running the interval script. Further camera testing will be done between 3/26/2009 and 3/29/2009 to make sure a faster shutter speed and the interval script work. If they are not compatible a default shutter speed will be used. Camera System

During our flight we will be recording the flight with a Hobo Pendant G 3-axis accelerometer. The Hobo Pendant G can log 21,333 times when logging all three axis. To spread out logging throughout the 3 hour estimated flight we could log every seconds. To error on the side of caution the Hobo will be set to log every 0.6 seconds. The maximum G force rating on the Hobo is +/-3G. Unfortunately this may not be enough to record accurately on landing and if we were to have another launch we would look into other accelerometer options. The temperature in the sat must be kept above -20C in order to stay within the Hobo’s operating range. Accelerometer System

MK111 Timing Circuit

Structure and Thermal Properties Polystyrene core W/m *K 5.7 oz 3k carbon fiber square weave Carbon and coremate reinforcement Tin min= 0°C Tout = -60°C

Testing  Thermal testing in -50° F environment  Thermal couples placed on the inside and outside of payload. Test vessel Test environment

Test Results Test failure point

Price/Mass List Part ItemPrice Carbon Fiber $ Epoxy Resin $ Hardener $ Peel ply $ 7.50 Breather $ 5.20 Vacuum bag $ 6.45 CANON a570 Digital Camera$74.95x2= $ HOBO Pendant G logger Kit $ MK111 Timing Circuit $ Polystyrene insulation $ Gorilla Glue $ volt batteries $ volt holders $ ohm resistors $0.39x3$ 1.17 Perf board $ 4.49 Dry Ice 23 lbs $ Thermal couples $ Total $ Funds still available $ Componentmass Shell700grams Cameras454 grams Heater215 grams AccelerometerTBD total1369 grams Price list Mass list

Team Member Responsibilities  Daniel Koch-Exterior Structure, Composite Material handling and thermal properties  Jordan Gallegos-Structural design oversight handling  McMillan Misken-Payload construction  Christopher Olson-Internal Heating assembly  Cody Overcash-visual recording assembly and accelerometer assembly  Isaac Hamilton-Still Photo recording and wiring assembly. Interior shell construction and assembly  Thomas Mindenhall-Interior structural assembly

Upcoming Schedule  March 27 th CDR  March 28 th - April 9 th construct new heater and retest  Launch April 11 th