High Altitude Balloon Projects
Eventually these updates and info will be posted on http://nearspace.us
Pictures, left to right: Launch from Ritzville HS Sept 6, 2010, two pics from altitude, the Landing Zone in Palouse, WA, the launch/recovery team, the new capsule readied for launch Oct 16.
Next launch scheduled by SCIENSE group: Saturday, April 16,
0800PDT, Ritzville HS, Ritzville, WA
SCIENSE 11-1: Will be a 1kg latex balloon with a hydrogen fill, as helium has become too expensive. The parachute is a lightweight ripstop material and much lighter than our previous 2lb parachute. The capsule is a 11"x11"x9" styrofoam 1/2" container. Payload will be two APRS trackers, KG5AO-8 (Yaesu 2M HT, TT3 and Garmin puck GPS, and K7GPS-11, a BigRedBee BeeLine tracker, along with two Canon A470 digital still cameras. Payload weight (balloon, parachute, capsule) is estimated about 8 lbs. The balloon will be filled to about 9.0 to 9.5lbs of positive lift. Estimated liftoff is 0900PDT. You can track either of the two trackers and ground chase on http://aprs.fi
Drawing from the success of recent Nebraska near space group effort, we'll try to incorporate a uStream http://www.ustream.tv video/audio uplink of the launch preparations and initial flight so that others can watch while we set-up, fill the balloon, get the payload ready, and launch. You do not need a uStream account, just logon and search for SCIENSE and watch.
SCIENSE is a conglomeration of cool people from the Spokane Astronomical Society and several amateur radio enthusiasts. They are developing a new website dedicated to the near space project, at http://www.nearspace.us.
SCIENSE 11-1 After Flight Details:
(Wrapup will be inserted here following the flight)
SCIENSE 10-2 and 10-1 Flights:
October 16, 2010 Flight Details
The Spokane County & Inland Empire Near Space Enthusiasts (SCIENSE) group a high altitude balloon on October 16, 2010, from the Ritzville, WA area.