"We're making space more American. We're making space more democratic. We're making space more available, approachable and real to the average American." - James Muncy, President of Polispace
As an avid maker and hobbyist, I support the open source initiative like the Arduino micro controller platform. When I decided to start this project 6 months ago, I dreamed of reaching space on a high school student's budget. Along the way, I also dreamed of publishing my research and development on near space, so we can make space more democratic and available to the everyday DIY-er.
Through my research, I never found a COMPLETE guide that would get me into space. Hence why the project took 6 months. This guide will be a FULL guide so you don't have to spend the same 6 months trying to figure out which systems work the best. For a reasonable budget, this inscrutable will get you into space.
On August 19, 2012, we launch a near space balloon on a high school student's budget from Brookfield, CT, equipped with tracking equipment and a Canon camera programmed to take pictures every 15 seconds. We captured the entire journey on film.
http://stratohab.blogspot.com
All the photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/110326863516727335506/albums/5780029367725007809?authkey=CJq77Zb82ZPtsAE
Subscribe to me! - FULL 20 STEP INSTRUCTABLE, ONE OF THE LONGEST SINGLE PAGE NEAR SPACE GUIDES ON THE INTERNET!
Vote for this instructable in the hurricane laser contest!
As an avid maker and hobbyist, I support the open source initiative like the Arduino micro controller platform. When I decided to start this project 6 months ago, I dreamed of reaching space on a high school student's budget. Along the way, I also dreamed of publishing my research and development on near space, so we can make space more democratic and available to the everyday DIY-er.
Through my research, I never found a COMPLETE guide that would get me into space. Hence why the project took 6 months. This guide will be a FULL guide so you don't have to spend the same 6 months trying to figure out which systems work the best. For a reasonable budget, this inscrutable will get you into space.
On August 19, 2012, we launch a near space balloon on a high school student's budget from Brookfield, CT, equipped with tracking equipment and a Canon camera programmed to take pictures every 15 seconds. We captured the entire journey on film.
http://stratohab.blogspot.com
All the photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/110326863516727335506/albums/5780029367725007809?authkey=CJq77Zb82ZPtsAE
Subscribe to me! - FULL 20 STEP INSTRUCTABLE, ONE OF THE LONGEST SINGLE PAGE NEAR SPACE GUIDES ON THE INTERNET!
Vote for this instructable in the hurricane laser contest!
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Signing UpStep 1: Safety - Calling the FAA
The ordinary person cannot just launch things into space whenever they please. You MUST abide by the rules that govern your state or country. On that note, I AM NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT GOES WRONG IN YOU ENDEAVORS.
In order to get approval, you must talk things over with the FAA if you're in the united states since they govern the skies. I called the U.S. NOTAM office. 1-877-487-6867. Be prepared to play some phone tag. Be diligent. You can't launch without this clearance.
They'll ask you a bunch of questions about launch time, location, and payload weight. A full list can be found in the FAA guide.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.15&idno=14#14:2.0.1.3.15.4
(a) Prelaunch notice: Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate an unmanned free balloon unless, within 6 to 24 hours before beginning the operation, he gives the following information to the FAA ATC facility that is nearest to the place of intended operation:
(1) The balloon identification.
(2) The estimated date and time of launching, amended as necessary to remain within plus or minus 30 minutes.
(3) The location of the launching site.
(4) The cruising altitude.
(5) The forecast trajectory and estimated time to cruising altitude or 60,000 feet standard pressure altitude, whichever is lower.
(6) The length and diameter of the balloon, length of the suspension device, weight of the payload, and length of the trailing antenna.
(7) The duration of flight.
(8) The forecast time and location of impact with the surface of the earth.
(b) For solar or cosmic disturbance investigations involving a critical time element, the information in paragraph (a) of this section shall be given within 30 minutes to 24 hours before beginning the operation.
(c) Cancellation notice: If the operation is canceled, the person who intended to conduct the operation shall immediately notify the nearest FAA ATC facility.
(d) Launch notice: Each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall notify the nearest FAA or military ATC facility of the launch time immediately after the balloon is launched.
§ 101.39 Balloon position reports.
top
(a) Each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall:
(1) Unless ATC requires otherwise, monitor the course of the balloon and record its position at least every two hours; and
(2) Forward any balloon position reports requested by ATC.
(b) One hour before beginning descent, each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall forward to the nearest FAA ATC facility the following information regarding the balloon:
(1) The current geographical position.
(2) The altitude.
(3) The forecast time of penetration of 60,000 feet standard pressure altitude (if applicable).
(4) The forecast trajectory for the balance of the flight.
(5) The forecast time and location of impact with the surface of the earth.
(c) If a balloon position report is not recorded for any two-hour period of flight, the person operating an unmanned free balloon shall immediately notify the nearest FAA ATC facility. The notice shall include the last recorded position and any revision of the forecast trajectory. The nearest FAA ATC facility shall be notified immediately when tracking of the balloon is re-established.
(d) Each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall notify the nearest FAA ATC facility when the operation is ended.
In order to get approval, you must talk things over with the FAA if you're in the united states since they govern the skies. I called the U.S. NOTAM office. 1-877-487-6867. Be prepared to play some phone tag. Be diligent. You can't launch without this clearance.
They'll ask you a bunch of questions about launch time, location, and payload weight. A full list can be found in the FAA guide.
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.15&idno=14#14:2.0.1.3.15.4
(a) Prelaunch notice: Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate an unmanned free balloon unless, within 6 to 24 hours before beginning the operation, he gives the following information to the FAA ATC facility that is nearest to the place of intended operation:
(1) The balloon identification.
(2) The estimated date and time of launching, amended as necessary to remain within plus or minus 30 minutes.
(3) The location of the launching site.
(4) The cruising altitude.
(5) The forecast trajectory and estimated time to cruising altitude or 60,000 feet standard pressure altitude, whichever is lower.
(6) The length and diameter of the balloon, length of the suspension device, weight of the payload, and length of the trailing antenna.
(7) The duration of flight.
(8) The forecast time and location of impact with the surface of the earth.
(b) For solar or cosmic disturbance investigations involving a critical time element, the information in paragraph (a) of this section shall be given within 30 minutes to 24 hours before beginning the operation.
(c) Cancellation notice: If the operation is canceled, the person who intended to conduct the operation shall immediately notify the nearest FAA ATC facility.
(d) Launch notice: Each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall notify the nearest FAA or military ATC facility of the launch time immediately after the balloon is launched.
§ 101.39 Balloon position reports.
top
(a) Each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall:
(1) Unless ATC requires otherwise, monitor the course of the balloon and record its position at least every two hours; and
(2) Forward any balloon position reports requested by ATC.
(b) One hour before beginning descent, each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall forward to the nearest FAA ATC facility the following information regarding the balloon:
(1) The current geographical position.
(2) The altitude.
(3) The forecast time of penetration of 60,000 feet standard pressure altitude (if applicable).
(4) The forecast trajectory for the balance of the flight.
(5) The forecast time and location of impact with the surface of the earth.
(c) If a balloon position report is not recorded for any two-hour period of flight, the person operating an unmanned free balloon shall immediately notify the nearest FAA ATC facility. The notice shall include the last recorded position and any revision of the forecast trajectory. The nearest FAA ATC facility shall be notified immediately when tracking of the balloon is re-established.
(d) Each person operating an unmanned free balloon shall notify the nearest FAA ATC facility when the operation is ended.
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I wasn't aware that getting a HAM license is so easy today in the U.S.
I made mine 30 years ago, in Switzerland ;-)
did the Celluar track all the way to 65k ? at what altitude did you lose the signal from that? what altitude did you reacquire if you lost it ?
I was thinking of going with a SPOT device. $99 a year and you can get them online for under $100. but at $200 I might as well go the extra $100 and get the micro trak.
I plan to push for over 130k (theoretical max is 180k for helium) I might go with hydrogen and push for 150k. its cheaper and you need less of it and it can push higher faster. (it really is not dangerous your 5gallon gas tank is more dangerous) as long as you respect it.
Hydrogen (pure) just does not burn or explode as much as people think it does. now mix it with air and WATCH OUT :-)
eventually I want to send up a "GLIDER" to drop.
and after that I want to push for 200k with a rockoon under the balloon (launch a rocket when the balloon is ready to pop)
Good luck.
is that incorrect?
you can get USED spots for around and even under $100
you DO need to 3 axis gimble mount them. they only work of "points" up at the sky :-) if its upside down it will not work.
but again when I was looking at this a micro trak was a LOT more money. $300 is really not bad.
One question though--I thought that FAA approval wasn't required if the payload was below a certain weight. Still a good idea to contact them though.
Still hoping to get things together and hoping for the price of Helium to come back down to Earth!
Pure Hydrogen is used for met balloons and could safely be used providing the balloon is inflated and launched remotely in a open area. Just google 'Remote Weather Balloon Launcher'.
I knew that the Hindenberg had to use hydrogen because the US wouldnt sell helium to Germany ( at that time )
Until recently we had the biggest franchise of steak houses here in South Africa giving away helium baloons to kids ! I can't say I have seen them lately though..
I'll keep worrying about the ground and continue recycling....... :)
Good Instructable!!!
Helium derived from natural gas or oil is only as abundant as the supplies of the crude product, which as you may know is running out as well. (newly discovered natural gas fields??? Where???)
The price of Helium has quadrupled since 2004 due to demand exceeding supply. If people want to play with balloons and talk funny then expect to pay alot more for it.
New finds? One is, if you listen to rumor it could be one of the biggest is Marcellous (spelling?) Shale in NY, OH, PA, WV. There is reports of another bigger (?) in the mid-west, more in Canada and the government is focusing, as well as business on exploration within the states, finally. One cause, use, excuse for rumor and false commodity imflation, or real is to motivatve private industry to produce. Greed is a mighty motivator. But, if a shortage CT is in use and more technology everday to replace current old stuff.
Anyway, I applaud the youngman and I do conserve and try to be aware too. So, I thank you for more news an insight.
If space is American, does this mean that I have to ask permission from the FAA to launch a baloon here in South Africa ?
England thought once that it could rule the world, and there was a Boston Tea Party :-)
the timelapse is great !!! nice to see some higher quality pictures on one of these. VERY nice.
A NOTAM is not permission. its simply what it says. A Notice TO airmen. nothing more. I give notice all the time for our Rocket Launches and of course they have the OPPOSITE of the intended effect ie they DRAW airmen to the area who are curious and they get annoyed when we don't fly not realizing WE ARE NOT ALLOWED to launch a rocket while they occupy our airspace envelope so all launching ceases till they leave :-) hehe
you ARE required to inform the FAA and that process "WILL" result in a NOTAM.
but that is not permission. that is simply notification. an understandable requirements when in an advanced society where the airspace is heavily used. ie they can not tell you "NO" without cause. you are simply "informing" them so they can be aware of it and so the NOTAM can be filed for pilot safety.
but its important to understand the difference between NOTIFICATION a reasonable societal requirement and "PERMISSION" ie NO you may not do this unless "we" say ok.
the difference is pretty critical in the long run.
Sweet job on the launch and nice instructions! I hope this helps more students get their projects to the near-space environment.
regards,
Ben
www.ProjectAether.org
Do you plan additional flights now that you have all of the prerequsites covered and most of the equipment? Will you be sending additional experiments into near-space?
"On August 19, 2012, we launch a near space balloon on a high school student's budget from Brookfield, CT, equipped with tracking equipment and a Canon camera programmed to take pictures every 15 seconds. We captured the entire journey on film. "
I am left speechless...