General Launch Information:
Date: 4-05-09 (tentative)
Departure Plan
- VAST team arrive at Ham Shack:0430-0500
- Departure Time (Ham Shack):0530
- Departure Time (High School): 0600
Launch Site: Spangle, WA
Landing Site: Palouse, WA
Pre Flight Status: Looking Good
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
- 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
- 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
Full Success
- 1h 50m Video Acquisition
- Landing Recorded
Partial Success
- Some Flight Video Acquired
- Flight Takeoff Recorded
Failure
- No Video Acquired
Communication Objectives
Full Success
- Receive and log 90% of APRS packets.
- 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 the 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
- No internal system damage
- No internal shifting
- Launched with all systems functioning
- Moderate Success
- Recovered with minor reparable damage
- No internal system damaged
- Minor internal shifting
- Launched with critical systems functioning
- Failure
- Not recovered
- Significant Damage
- Not meeting at least all criteria for moderate success
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 | Gabe DeRuwe |
|
| Tracking and Recovery Coordinator | Delaun Smith (Mobile Recovery Vehicle) |
|
| Communications Specialists | Cliff Murphy (HamShack) Delaun Smith (Steptoe) Gabriel Wilson (Bus) Rody Wilcox (SUV) |
|
Team Roles
| Communications | *Anna Camery *Sean Wagoner *Delaun Smith *Rody Wilcox *Gabriel Wilson |
|
| 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.
- 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
(overview paragraph)
| Jason's Van | HS School Bus/Suburban | HS SUV | SD Truck |
| Launch Site | Launch Site | Step Toe | Launch Site |
| Personnel | Personnel | Personnel | Personnel |
|
|
|
|
| Equipment | 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 | name | KE7xxx | Kenwood D710 | 50W |
| The Bus | Gabriel Wilson | KE7PHD | Kenwood D700 | 50W |
| SD Truck | Rody Wilcox | KE7GDZ | Kenwood TH F6A/Yaesu FT-60R | 50W/5W |
| HS SUV | Delaun Smith | KE7PHJ | 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 | KE7PHJ-1 | 144.390Mhz | APRS | 89 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: 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: 75,000 ft
Payload
VAST Payload
Space Ball |
 |
Contents:
|
| Mass: ~ 6lb 2.7kg (loaded) |
High School Payload
Mystery Man |
 |
Contents:
|
| Mass: ~xxxg (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
April 4 NOTAM Filed by Brandy KE7PHH
Sheriff Fax
Contacts
Leaders Contacts
Sheriff Contacts
FAA Contacts
