General Launch Information:
Date: October 31th
Departure Plan
- VAST team arrive at Ham Shack:0330-0400
- Departure Time (Ham Shack):0430
Launch Site: Connell, WA
Landing Site: Genesse, WA
Pre Flight Status: Ready
The 9/26 launch date was postponed due to deteriorating weather conditions after missing our launch window due to technical issues. We are currently waiting for a new shipment of balloons and good weather. Balloons should be arriving October 12th and hopefully we will be able to launch October 17th or 24th (weather permitting).
Goals and Success Criteria
Prior to launch the project management creates specific and measurable success criteria for the launch. In addition each team establishes a set of goals. Team goals are considered secondary to meeting the Mission Success criteria.
Launch Success Criteria
Full Success
- Payload recovered same day of launch.
- Collect at least 80% of the tracking packets containing accurate position and altitude data on the ground, real time during the flight.
- Data acquired for all atmospheric and behavioral sensors.
- Probe receives little or no damage during flight.
Mission Success
- Payload recovered within 2 days of launch.
- Collect and store at least 50% of the tracking packets containing accurate position and altitude data on the ground, real time during the flight.
- 90% of scientific data acquired.
- Probe receives minor repairable damage
Minimum Success
- Payloads recovered within 1 week of launch
- C&DH and Com. systems are recoverable (i.e. reusable and repairable)
- Probe is at lest 50% intact.
Team Launch Objectives
Science/Instrumentation Objectives
Full Success
- Capture full ascent, flight and descent on video
- Clear visual data
- Recover package on launch day
Success
- Capture full ascent and flight
- Clear visual data
- Recover package within 2 days of launch
Minor Success
- Capture ascent with 50% of flight
- Clear visual data
- Recover package within 3 days of launch
Failure
- Loss of package.
- Complete obstructed view
- No video
Communication Objectives
Full Success
- Receive and log 90% of APRS pacjets
- Recover package on launch day
- Receive and log 90% of Ginger GPS node packets
- Cut down package using the Ginger cut-down node
Success
- Receive and log 75% of APRS packets
- Recover package within 2 days of launch
- Receive and log 75% of Ginger GPS node packets
Minor Success
- Receive and log 50% of APRS packets
- Recover package within 3 days of launch
Failure
- Loss of package.
C&DH Objectives
Full Success
- Data acquired for all sensors
- External Pressure and Temperature At Two Points
- Internal Temperature
- 3 axis Magnetometers
- 3 axis Accelerometers
- 3 axis Gyroscopes
- No power failures
- GPS lock for entire mission
- Recovery of our system in working order
Success
- Data acquired for sensors critical to JPL mission
- 3 Accelerometers
- 3 Gyroscopes
- GPS lock and data acquisition for 9/10 time of flight
- Recovery of our system in recoverable condition
Minor Success
- Retrieval of our system in recoverable condition
- Data acquisition of non-critical sensors
Failure
- Loss of package/system
- No data acquisition
Structures Objectives
- Full success
- Recovered with only minor cosmetic damage (scratches in window or shell)
- No internal system damage
- No internal shifting
- Launched with all systems functioning
- Proper parachute deployment and performance
- Moderate Success
- Recovered with minor reparable damage
- Missing parts from flight
- No internal system damaged
- Minor internal shifting
- Launched with critical systems functioning
- Failure
- Not recovered
- Significant , unrepairable damage
Roles and Responsibilities
Each team member volunteers for a role on launch day. There are two categories of roles, project level roles and team level roles. The project level goals include: Head Flight Planner, Launch Coordinator, Tracking Coordinator, Recovery Coordinator, and Communication Specialists. Team level roles include: Photographer, Head Note Taker and other specialized roles specific to the team.
Management Roles
| Flight Planner | Brandy Holmes |
|
| Launch Coordinator | Kevin Ramus |
|
| Tracking and Recovery Coordinator | Anna Camery (Mobile Recovery Vehicle) |
|
| Communications Specialists | Rody Wilcox (HamShack) Anna Camery (Steptoe) Gabe Wilson & Sean Wagoner & Seth Rainsdon (SUV) |
|
Team Roles
| Communications |
|
|
| Control & Data Handling |
||
| Science/Instrumentation |
|
|
| Structures |
|
Launch Procedures
Prior to launch the teams create a collaborative procedure for assembling the payload and checking for critical functionality. A final launch checklist is also used to confirm that all systems are ready for launch.
- list
- list
Comm Check List:
- APRS Link from micro-tracks
- 2 way link from ginger
- Accurate information from GPS
Final Launch Checklist
Lift Off Check List
Tracking and Recovery Plan
(overview paragraph)
| Vehicle | Vehicle | Vehicle |
| Launch Site | Step Toe | Launch Site |
| Personnel | Personnel | Personnel |
|
|
|
| Equipment | Equipment | Equipment |
|
|
|
Radio Frequencies
VAST uses amateur radio to track the payload in real time and transmit telemetry data from the balloon to the mobile ground units.
Audio Communications:
For this mission Steptoe Butte will serve as a relay for communications. More detail of the network for this launch can be found in the Radio Coverage Page.
Launch Team to Steptoe Butte:
- Primary: 146.540MHz (Simplex)
- Emergency Backup: 145.390MHz (KA7FAJ Repeater - Ask For Permission From KA7FAJ)
W7UQ Ham Shack to Steptoe Butte:
- Primary: 146.820MHz (Moscow Mt Repeater)
- Secondary: 146.540MHz (Simplex - Note That Launch and W7UQ Can Not Hear Each Other)
Operators & Vehicles
| Location | Operator | Callsign | Unit | RF Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HamShack | Rody Wilcox | KE7GDZ | link to radio | 50W |
| ST Car | Gabriel Wilson&Sean Wagner & Seth Rainsdon | KE7PHD & & KD7PIQ | link to radio | 50W & 5W |
| HS SUV | Anna Camery | KF7ETU | link to radio | 5W |
Transmitters:
| Unit | Use | Callsign | Frequency | Data | Time Interval | RF Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microtrak 8000 FA-1 | tracking | KE7SYH-1 | 144.390Mhz | APRS | 101 sec | 8W |
| Microtrak 8000 FA-2 | tracking | KE7SYH-2 | 144.390Mhz | APRS | 199 sec | 8W |
| Ginger | tracking | KE7PHJ-2 | Variable | Various | on command | 10W |
Receivers:
| Unit | Freq: Pri/Sec | Computer | Software | Antenna |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APRS.fi | iGates | HamShack PC | GERTTS | |
| Kenwood D710 | 441.050Mhz | HamShack PC | MapPoint/GERTTS | ?? |
| I-COM IC-R5 | 144.390 | Anywhere, HamShack? | Any Software TNC | Rubber Ducky |
Flight System
Parachute / Balloon Info
- Parachute Type: Cross
- Balloon Type: Latex
- Size:1500g
Target Flight Rates
- Targeted Free Lift: 1.5 -2 lb
- Average Target Ascent Rate: 1200 ft/min
- Average Target Descent Rate:2000 ft/min
- Target Peak Altitude: 85,000ft
Payload
VAST Payload
Space Ball |
 |
Contents:
|
| Mass: **kg (loaded) |
Trajectory/Weather Predictions (Prediction Tutorial)
VAST uses multiple trajectory prediction tools including an online tool. Weather forecasts are also used for planning and logistics. Launches are postponed if surface winds are dangerously high or if there is too much precipitation. The wind speed in the jet stream is also an important consideration. If winds are too high, the launch team will have to drive long distances to avoid forested landings in northern Idaho.
FAA/Sheriff Information
A NOTAM is filed the day before launch. In addition a fax is sent to the surrounding sheriffs offices to inform them of our activities. The relevant details of the launch are summarized in the link below.
NOTAM
Date NOTAM Filed by Brandy KE7PHH
Sheriff Fax
Contacts
Leaders Contacts
Sheriff Contacts
FAA Contacts
