Upcoming Events

We will be conducting our launch on August 21st 2017 to capture the Solar Eclipse. We will be launching from Jefferson, Missouri. The plan is to launch the balloon, at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before  the solar eclipse starts. The window to capture it is 2.5 minutes. You can track the flight live from our links page using either the spot tracker or the APRS tracker (Note: the spot tracker is expected to shutoff above 35,000 feet).

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Camera Field of View Test

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Objective: To test which GoPro field of view if most optimal for the side camera to record the tray opening and closing. Gaining footage of the horizon is also a secondary goal. Method: GoPro Hero 3+ Silver, the camera that will be used for the sides, was mounted in its casing and payload box to simulate recording on the day of the flight. A previous model of the petri dish assembly will be positioned at various distances on the side. A ruler was used to measure the distance of the payload from the petri dish assembly to record different distance possibilities. The camera was recorded at 1080p and 60fps.   Camera mounted into the new, lightweight casing.  Using a standard ruler to measure distance. Below is a diagram of all the possible frames of second and fields of view for each resolution within GoPro Hero 3+ Black, the camera that will be used for the top.  It has been determined for the side camera to record at 60fps at 1080p, in which the possible fi
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Camera Test in the Sun

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Last week we were able to test the GoPro cameras outside to see at what temperature the GoPro cameras fail, especially the top camera that would be directly facing the sun. The high was 83F in the afternoon, with several clouds in the sky. The thermometer cord was attached to the back of the top camera to record its changes in temperature. Attaching a thermometer to back of GoPro Inside Payload (Top camera connected to one power bank, side cameras connected to another) Setting up pole and payload so that the camera can record changes in thermometer. Results: 38900 Lux of Sun on Roof Top Camera (#1, Gopro Hero 3+ Black, 720p at 120fps): 98.2F - Initial Thermometer Reading at 10:35AM 116.8F - Thermometer Reading at 11:57AM 108.7F- Thermometer Reading at 1:16PM 36.5GB of memory used, recorded for 2 hours and 52 min (172 min) Side Camera (#2, GoPro Hero 3+ Silver, 1080p at 60fps): Temperature data not recorded for this ex
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Week 4, Wednesday

General We are taking inventory of what we need for the tethered launch. CAD We have made revisions to the bottom holder and rail components of the dust capturing system and are going to start printing one or both pieces of the assembly today. We are also sanding down the newer lid to reduce friction and add clearance. Circuits We are still testing how to compensate for the motors' low torque. The two methods we are considering are using a higher voltage to yield more torque and using two motors per assembly and have them operate slower. Cameras We are trying to determine if aluminum and/or mylar foil will aid in reducing heat buildup as initially hypothesized. Of the websites and reviews read, it seems mylar is the better solution. It is more reflective, provides more insulation, and is lighter than aluminum foil.
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