Lauch Preperation

Launch Preparation

Brett Russell, Mitch Knotts, Chantelle Spence, Sami Yanikoglu, Kirk Schichl

Launch Site and Tine

Arrive at 8 a.m. at University of Michigan Space Research Building to load the helium tanks.  At 10 a.m. arrive at Leslie High School, 4141 Hull Road, Leslie, MI on Saturday April 7,^th2012

Predicted Flight path

Jackson  to Tecumseh/ Milan Michigan

Planned Driving Course

·       Get on M-127 South from Jackson

·       I-94 East towards Detroit

·       US-23 South toward Ohio

·       Get off at MI-50

·       Drive through Milan eastward

·       Look for balloon and pick it up

FAA

To legally launch a high altitude balloon it is a requirement to let the FAA know that we are launching one.  To do this we had to file a NOTAM which is short for “notice to all airmen,” the requirements for a NOTAM  is where we are launching in relationship to the nearest VOR approach.   In this case we were closest to Jackson airports approach so we calculated that we were launching 9.2 nautical miles north of the approach.  Secondly we had to state the highest altitude that would be reached, in our case it was 100,000 ft, since aircraft don’t fly any higher than 60,000 ft that’s what we filed in the NOTAM.   Finally we had to know which direction that the balloon would head, to do this we ran it through a simulation that takes weather into account and found that it was going to be moving at a heading of 137 degrees (south east).  We also had to coordinate with Lansing, Jackson and Central Cleveland approaches to make them and all pilots aware of our actions.  Once the NOTAM was filed we were legally ready to go.

Final Preparation

Check the weather at University of Michigan “Go/No Go” meeting.   Prepare payload by turning all instruments and cameras on.  Check all batteries.  Erase memory cards. Check to see if Microtrack is transmitting every minute and make sure KD8RTO appears on the APRS website.   Close and seal lid of payload.  Write contact information.   Attach parachute to payload.  Fill balloon and tie to top of parachute.  Write names and numbers to contact on the box in case it is lost. Launch balloon and track.

MATERIALS:

1.     1.   balloon
2.     helium
3.     GPS Receiver
4.     Parachute
5.     11x AA's, 4x 9V's  (8x lithium are laying in the payload, we need 3x rechargeable from the lab)
6.     Laptop | Arduino USB/USB-b cord
7.     String, attached to the parachute and has the NiChrome twisted around it already
8.     Extra rope
9.     Sharpie
10.  electronics toolbox
11.  tool set
12.  tape
13.  binoculars