~~META:
description abstract = Sending a balloon to the edge of space!
~~
====== Near Space Launch ======

Island Labs has successfully launched a balloon 29km up and took incredible pictures. Torrent up soon. GO TEAM GO!

===== What =====
The members of Island Labs will assemble a balloon and instrument package, travel to a "safe" inland area, plot an estimated flight path for a several-hour flight, and attempt to track and recover the flight vehicle after landing.
===== How =====



By following the model/notes from MIT's Icarus project.



http://space.1337arts.com/





^Item ^Weight ^Cost ^Got ^Notes^
|Sounding Balloon (Kaymont) | 800g |$40 | X | Bill, 800g |
|Helium||$100 (+$150 deposit)| X | John T |
|Parachute|10g|$55|  | John T |
|Motorola i290 Prepaid Cellphone (Boost)|90g, 3oz|$30| X | John A |
|Styrofoam Beer Cooler|15g|$0| X | Bill |
|Duct Tape|10g|$0| X | Office |
|Zip Ties|5g|$0|  |  |
|Canon A560 with 4GB SD card|165g, 5.9 oz|$60| X | Bill |
|Insulation material- newspaper|5g|$0| X | Not used |
|Duracell USB phone charger powered by AA batteries|20g 1oz|$10| X | Bill |
|Instant Hand warmer|5g|$3| X | Bill |
|4 Ultimate Lithium AA batteries|15g * 4 = 60 g, 2 oz|$10|  |  |
|Radar Reflector (aluminum foil)|0g|$0| X | Not Used |
|Closed cell foam packing supplies| unknown | $0 | X | Stony Brook trash |
^Total| approx. 1300g |~$310|


Island labs members will provide the cost of fuel for travel to the launch and recovery sites, as well as service plans required for the tracking of the vehicle.



===== Plan =====



1) Assemble, setup in-flight software, and activate service plans for vechicle tracking.



2) research/pick launch location based on recent weather, and wind direction.



3) pre-position "chase" vehicles (cars) in predicted landing areas.



4) Launch the balloon.



5) Track Balloon travel.



6) Locate / recover instrument package.



7) Retrieve/Publish flight-data (images recorded during flight)





===== Why =====



For the experience of building a vehicle that can reach the upper atmosphere.



To see (and be able to show) what the edge of space looks like.



To provide independant confirmation of the MIT/Icarus launch "protocols".



To put a StonyBrook "space program" on the map, and make contributions to the amateur exploration of space.



To test/prove a StonyBrook balloon/vehicle as a platform for other potential instrument packages.



To show SB students what heights can be attained when you set your mind to it.



Because it's really cool. 
===== Results =====

Flight 1:   March 03, 2010

  * Total flight distance:  77.8 miles
  * Average speed:  35mph
  * Maximum speed:  63mph
  * Total flight time:  2 hours, 12 minutes
  * Distance between predicted and actual landing:  ~5 miles


{{:project:instamapper-medium.jpg|}}



{{tag>projects science}}