Launch S701 PostReport (2007-04-21)

Flight Goals

Overall

• Cut weight of flight package
  • Starting weight - 15lbs
  • Goal - 12 lbs
  • Final weight - 9lbs
• Track and recover the complete payload the same day as launch
• Record temperature, 3 axis acceleration data, and GPS data from flight
• Receive telemetry of sensor data
• Record live video at ground station during flight
• Take digital pictures at regular intervals during the flight (every 40 seconds)

Structures

• Protect equipment from extreme cold
• Protect equipment from physical damage

Preparations

Design Testing

• Test adhesives used in construction for cold temperature functionality (Duct Tape, PL Premium, Velcro)

Pre-Launch Preparation

• Weigh individual components to ensure that flight package meets FAA regulations
• Make sure components fit in capsule
  • loose enough to remove safely
  • tight enough to stay in place

• Charge batteries
• Check electrical connections
• Check and attach capsules, parachute, and balloon using cordelletes and micro-carabiners

• check sizes (How?)
• check strength (How?)
• check attachment to capsule (How?)
• check that carabiner gates are taped closed
• Check that all electrical equipment is functioning properly (How?)
• Launch!

Summary of Critical Events

• 7:45- The MCC could not be attached as planned because an antenna was blocking the cordellete. Two keyrings were moved, and an additional cordellete was quickly tied to solve this problem. -structures
• 10:00????- The flight package was safely recovered -
• 10:10- The package was nearly destroyed by a tractor pulling a harrow! -structures
• 10:20- Rody noticed that the interior of the capsule was much warmer than expected

Team reports

Links to pages that contain a summary of team strength, suggestions for improvement, and lessons learned
Structures
Science/Engineering
Communications

Hardware

Links to pages with descriptions of launch hardware
Hardware

Conclusion

Recovered about 2-3 hours after launch.