General Launch Information:
Date: 4-13-08
Departure Plan
- VAST team arrive at Ham Shack:0500-0530
- Departure Time (Ham Shack):0530
- Departure Time (High School): 0600
Launch Site: Hooper Wa, ~ 5 mi before Washtucna Wa
Landing Site: Approx. 17 NW of Moscow, ID (1030 - estimated)
Pre Flight Status: Already Launched
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
- Both payload recovered within the same day of launch
- Collect internal and external temperature data as a function of time during the entire flight
- Collect external pressure data as a function of time during the entire flight
- Capture at least 200 digital still pictures
- Record video during the entire flight
- Collect at least 80% of the tracking packets containing accurate position and altitude data on the ground, real time during the flight
- Reach peak altitude of at least 90,000 ft (at least one of the payloads)
- Archive all processed/calibrated flight data (GPS packets, science data, pictures, video) on VAST computer in Ham Shack within 48 hours of recovery
- Each team posts lessons learned on wiki (Post Flight Report) within 1 week of launch date
Mission Success
- Both payloads recovered within 2 days of launch
- Collect temperature data as a function of time during the entire flight
- Capture and store 100 or more digital still pictures
- Record video for at least 1 hour of flight
- Collect and store at least 50% of the tracking packets containing accurate position and altitude data on the ground, real time during the flight
- Archive all raw flight data (GPS packets, science data, pictures, video) on VAST computer in Ham Shack within 1 week of recovery
- Each team posts lessons learned on wiki (Post Flight Report) within 1 week of launch date
Minimum Success
- Both payloads recovered within 1 week of launch
Team Launch Objectives
Science/Instrumentation Objectives
- Record and recover data from all sensors
- Correlate sensors with altitude
Communication Objectives
- Repeat last launch packet percentage of 100% APRS data to I-gates
- Use the Moscow Mtn repeater effectively — with tactical callsigns
CnDH Objectives
- Mission Failure
- Loss of payload or
- destruction of payload or
- no data recovered
- Minimal success
- recover payload intact
- powers on
- GPS data recorded and recovered
- Invalid data from sensors
- PIC AXE communication with ARM7
- Moderate success
- Valid sensor data
- Pressure
- Temperature
- Valid sensor data
- Full success
Note: Valid data consist of calibrated and verified data to atmospheric models.
Ground Station Objectives
- Mobile Unit:
- Log all the bus packets
- Test the new GPSD2COM software with 2 new mapping programs
- Vast Dashboard running Microsoft Mappoint
- Other software test
- Pictures!!
- Stationary Unit (Ham Shackians):
- Log all the balloon packets via radio (fall back will be [aprs.fi])
- Pictures!!
Structures Objectives
- Capsules return with minor or no damage requiring less than 15min to repair.
- Verify new capsule's integrity and thermal insulation.
Roles and Responsibilities
Each team member volunteers for a role on launch day. There are two catagories 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 | Austin Howard |
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| Launch Coordinator | Justin Schlee |
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| Tracking Coordinator | Jasper Nance Evan Hart |
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| Recovery Coordinator | Jessica Smith (Mobile Recovery Vehicle) |
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| Communications Specialists | Alex Odom (HamShack) Matthew VavRosky (Steptoe) Austin Howard (Steptoe) Anthony Jaya (Bus) |
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Team Roles
| Communications |
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| Controll & Data Handling |
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| Science/Instrumentation |
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| Ground Station |
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| Structures |
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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.
- Begin filling the balloons
- Assemble capsules
- Assemble senior design capsule and attachments
- Turn on camera
- Turn on video camera
- Secure attachments to batteries
- Verify data is being received
- Verify connections between devices/batteries
- Verify valid data being received on datalogger
- Attach harnesses to capsules
- Attach parachute and capsules to balloons
- Final verification of signal transmission
- Release lighter balloon
- Release heaver balloon (~10min later)
Final Launch Checklist
Lift Off Check List
Tracking and Recovery Plan
As we will be flying two packages, each of the two trucks will be assigned a specific balloon/package to track and follow. The two capsules will be known as the HS Capsule and the SD Capsule. The school bus will be tracking both, but following the HS capsule should the two capsules separate significantly. Also, the VW will be following the SD truck. After recovery, if separated, each tracking group will document and photograph the landing site and then will be returning to the school. If the capsules are within approximately 200 km of each other, the groups will join for pictures and then continue to the school.
| HamShack | HS School Bus | HS SUV | SD Truck | SD VW |
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Moscow |
Launch Site |
Step Toe |
Launch Site |
Launch Site |
| Personnel | Personnel | Personnel | Personnel | Personnel |
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| Equipment | Equipment | Equipment | Equipment | Equipment |
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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 | Alex Odom | KE7HLM | Kenwood D710 | 50W |
| The Bus | Anthony Jaya | KE7PHE | Kenwood D700 | 50W |
| VanDeMarshall | Jasper Nance | KE7PHI | Kenwood TH F6A | 5W |
| SD Truck | Jessica Smith | KE7PHF | Kenwood TH F6A/Yaesu FT-60R | 50W/5W |
| HS SUV | Austin Howard | KE7JWW | Kenwood D7/HTs | 5W-50W |
Transmitters:
| Unit | Use | Callsign | Frequency | Data | Time Interval | RF Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microtrak 8000 FA-1 (green) | tracking | KE7SYH-1 | 144.390Mhz | APRS | 101 sec | 8W |
| Microtrak 8000 FA-2 (white) | tracking | KE7SYH-2 | 144.390Mhz | APRS | 199 sec | 8W |
| Microtrak 8000 FA-3 (blue) | tracking | KE7PHI-1 | 144.390Mhz | APRS | 89 sec | 8W |
| Microtrak 300 + MicroAmp (red) | tracking | KE7PHI-2 | 144.390Mhz | APRS | 193 sec | 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 |
Cliff's hand-held receiver is available for use for tracking. It has a standard audio plug.
Flight System
Parachute / Balloon Info
- Parachute Type: Rocketman R12C
- Balloon Type: Latex
- Size: 1500 g
Target Flight Rates
- Targeted Free Lift: 1.5-2 lbf
- Average Target Ascent Rate: 1200 ft/min
- Average Target Descent Rate: 2000 ft/min
- Target Peak Altitude: 100,000 ft
Payload
VAST Payload
BC 1 - Waldo |
MCC 3- Twiddle Dee |
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Contents:
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Contents:
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| Mass: 616g (empty) | Mass: 382g (empty) |
High School Payload
MCC 3- Twiddle Dum |
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Contents:
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| Mass: ~382g (empty) |
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
4-12-2008 NOTAM Filed by Justin Schlee KE7JWU
Sheriff Fax
Contacts
Leaders Contacts
Sheriff Contacts
FAA Contacts
