Transcript Main payload-build assignment slide

Main payload-building assignment
Basic components
• Payload box (select materials: must be light (no more than 2 lb total pre-rigging weight), strong, insulating)
• Heater circuit (required)
• HOBO (monitor internal temp (at least) and external temp (probably), might also plug in one other sensor with voltage cable
(like a solar panel))
• On-board data logging with BallonSat Easy flight computer and weather station
• Can send analog voltage data to the ground while in flight using Zigbee radio
• Camera (still or video) may look up/down/out depending on experimental needs
Science/engineering experiments
• Characterize external temperature, pressure, relative humidity of atmosphere with weather station
• Document internal temperature (for spacecraft “health”) and relative humidity of payload box with HOBO
• Use the camera to do some interesting experiment, not just “take pretty pictures”
– Some ideas: Layers of the atmosphere (possibly using filtering), curvature of the Earth, spectral content of sunlight using
diffraction grating, characterize balloon size with altitude, analysis of balloon burst and/or post-burst chaos, landform
identification/mapping, vegetation identification (possibly using filters), trying to take photos of the solar corona, etc.
• Do one additional experiment of your own choosing (must get explicit permission; watch size and weight limitations)