1. High Altitude Balloon Research at the University of Kentucky
Steve Alvarado, Max Bezold, Alex Clements, Billy Danhauer, Joshua Evans, Trevor Fenwick, Marc Higginson-Rollins, Zach Jacobs, Haden Marrs, Samir Rawashdeh, Mary Walker
James Lumpp,
Overview
Benefits of High Altitude Balloons: Balloons can reach the upper atmosphere which environmentally is very similar to space. At those altitudes (+60,000ft) temperatures can get to -60C as well as it being a near vacuum. At that altitude payloads are subjected to radiation from the sun. Because of these environmental similarities technologies can be flown on balloons to gain confidence in their performance for future orbital and sub-orbital missions.
Balloon-1
The purpose of the balloon was to teach the Kentucky Space team the importance of mission critical operations in preparations for other orbital and sub-orbital launches. Middle school students were invited to attend the launch and to launch their own PongSats. Balloon-1 reached an altitude of 91,227ft. The onboard payloads were monitoring the magnetic field, acceleration, pressure, GPS coordinates, and temperature throughout the mission.
Research
Students are currently working on a variety of research areas including a system for precision recovery of payloads from high altitude flights The precision recovery allows for faster and a higher success rate in recovering high altitude balloons’ payloads. In traditional balloon missions the threat of landing in highly forested areas, bodies of water, or highways is always present and controlled descent will try to minimize these risks.
Another area of research is the development of a system to allow for a ballistic drop of a payload from altitude. Once the balloon reaches a predetermined altitude the payload will be dropped. The payload will free fall for several seconds simulating the zero gravity experienced in space, then a second parachute will be deployed and the payload will float back to Earth. Controlled ascent is also a research area. This system would allow the balloon to stay at a particular altitude for a designated time or to rise at a specified ascent rate for the entire mission.
Finally, to test the Stellar Gyro system being developed, a stabilized platform is being researched and developed. The Stellar Gyro as well as other camera platforms require for extremely stable conditions to work properly. Therefore, a system must be developed to dampen the motions a typical payload would endure. A similar system could be used for the GPS system used for tracking missions, ensuring the system is facing upright in order to transmit its location properly.
HAMSTER
HAMSTER (High Altitude Multi-payload Student Teaching and Educational Resource) was Kentucky Space’s second balloon. HAMSTER was launched on April 17, The balloon carried a variety payloads to capture images from space, test avionics for future balloon missions, and a new avionics payload system developed by a University of Kentucky Senior design team. The balloon was successfully recovered just over the West Virginia border near Myrtle.
The flight path of HAMSTER using data logged and plotted into Google Earth
Photos during the balloon fill procedure just before launch
HAMSTER-2
HAMSTER-2 has Kentucky Space’s third balloon that was launched on August 27, HAMSTER-2 flew several payloads including DropZone!, will be flying logos that will be pictured hanging at the edge of space. DropZone! is part of a larger plan to connect local communities with the science education of their middle school students.
Students tracking HAMSTER-2 just after launch
Image courtesy of the Herald-Leader
A typical arrangement of balloon flight string