1. Pre-Flight Briefing ANSR-79 Pima Community College 3/28/14 Nick Patzke Gustavo Guerreo Nick Morris Team Members

2. Why can’t we successfully fly a GoPro camera through space in a “naked” state?

3. Payload Motivation Payloads used in ANSR balloon flights are subjected to temperatures as low -60 C which usually require additional heating and insulation. This results in limited mounting configurations, additional weight and take up space better served for circuit boards, etc. Most ANSR payloads have some form of camera (still or video), that generally require special attention. Most payload camera failures are the result of battery “failure” at extreme temperatures. GoPro technical staff have no data on their cameras and their behavior at low temperatures. The goal for this flight is to examine GoPro camera behavior during an ANSR flight.

4. Payload Objectives Build a simple payload holding two GoPro cameras aimed at answering questions about their usability in extreme conditions. Lamp-rod Configuration: One GoPro with OEM battery as a control ‘group.’ Another GoPro powered by a larger capacity and voltage battery. (LiPo 11.1v 3S 2250 mAh) GoPro 2 GoPro 3 5V Regulator

5. GoPro Issues In Space The Battery Li-Ion batteries shipped with GoPro cameras today are specified to have a minimum operating temperature of -40 C For most applications, this limit is far lower than the camera or battery will ever experience. But we want to send them into near space and back…(min expected temp ~-60C) But Why Can’t a Battery Operate at < -40C ? A batteries’ internal resistance increases as temperature decreases: As internal resistance increases, load voltage decreases: As load voltage decreases, available current decreases: At some point (due to the cold) the available current should decrease past the necessary 0.5A needed and the camera will shut off.  Or the remote possibility of a defective battery…

6. Payload Structure Both GoPros (in their protective cases) will be exposed equally to the elements:  One with stock battery. (Li-Ion) o Facing balloon.  One with a larger Li-Po battery o Facing toward Earth.

7. Battery Testing Test BoxLab

10. Acknowledgements Special thanks to the following for offering this opportunity!: Jack Crabtree and ANSR Susan Brew and NASA Space Grant Mike Sampogna Dr. Denise Meeks