NSB04042016 Meeting Notes

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
  • Payload Electronics

1. 1. 1. Telemetry
         
         1. GPS receiver
            - WIll need to be conscious of altitude limitations in different chipsets
         2. Transmitter
         3. Modem
      2. Photo Camera
      3. 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

1. 1. 1. Protective gear
         - Gloves to protect against contaimination that could cause premature pop, like skin oils
         - Protect it from ground hazards
      2. Method to measure lift
         - Must be able to gauge lift and calibrate to avoid neutral bouyancy, premature poppage, etc
      3. 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.