NSB04042016 Meeting Notes
From Eugene Maker Space
Near Space Balloon Meeting Minutes for April 4th 2016
- Does everyone understand what the project is? Have you seen examples online?
- How we will manage the project.
- Logistics
- Online tools for collaboration
- Libre board
- Git
- EMS WIki
- GChat?
We'll start with this Wiki and go from there.
- Breakdown of required major tasks
- Telemetry
- GPS receiver
- WIll need to be conscious of altitude limitations in different chipsets
- Transmitter
- Modem
- Photo Camera
- Video Camera
- Payload Chassis
- Needs to be able to survive a reasonable impact.
- Needs to be insulated to protect electronics from cold
- Needs to fit weight regulations
- Balloon
- Latex weather balloon, grows during ascent
- Balloon fill station
- Protective gear
- Gloves to protect against contaimination that could cause premature pop, like skin oils
- Protect it from ground hazards
- Method to measure lift
- Must be able to gauge lift and calibrate to avoid neutral bouyancy, premature poppage, etc
- Method to attach balloon to payload
- Parachute
- Bright colors for visibility
- Mobile tracking station(s)
- Receiver, modem, computer for plotting location.
- Launch sites
- Free software that can help optimize launch location based on weather and vehicle parameters.
- Want to avoid cross-mountain flight
- Weather predictions
- Legal requirements
- No cell phones
- Ham communications
- Payload cannot weight more than 6lbs on its own (up to 12lbs but no single 6lb object)
- Rick suggests define base payload, then anything extra hangs from it as separate payload.
- 3oz^2 limit for density
- No rope of cable with greater than 50lb separation force
- Can't drop like gliders or anything
- TODO: Is there a special permit needed for transporting the canister?
- Acquiring parts or materials
- When we need monies or resources, let's chat as a group to see what's available and also reach out to discuss.
- Areas of interest
Cord: Launch location
Jeffrey: Chassis
Weston: Telemetry & software
Ben: Parachute and terminal recovery. Will check Spot activation costs.
Kass: Chassis team, balloon
- Assign some tasks with deadlines
Deferred for now. Changing to setting a new meeting date. April 23rd at 10AM. Goal for everyone will be to provide a rough guestimate about when they can meet their tasks. We will schedule the launch date based on this data.
- Choose preliminary launch date
- We'll do this at the next meeting.