Project Details
Overview
AHAB’s system consists of three major parts: The balloon/rigging, the communications system, and the outreach system. The communications system consists of a few major parts: the Primary Radio, the Secondary Radio, the TNC, the GPS, and more. Another part of the project is the team on the ground who are tracking the balloon. The Ground Tracking team uses amateur radio transceivers and laptops with software that can read the GPS data sent by the balloon and display it on a map.
The whole process of tracking is arriving early morning to the launch site, and preparing the system for its flight. The balloon is inflated, and attached to the system. After the balloon is launched, the team still at the launch site packs up and starts chasing the balloon, while others are already chasing. The teams can communicate to each other via mobile radio, cell phone, or by sending text messages through the balloon’s on-board digipeater. The balloon is then cutdown, by using either altitude or a specific text message to trigger the cutdown board. Finally, dampening its descent rate with a parachute, the balloon makes contact with the land again, and the team locates it. After the balloon is found and the team rejoices, they head home.
Below is a list of each subsystem. Follow the links for more, in-depth details.
The outreach is a way of involving high schools in a scientific team by sending experiments into near space conditions. We select teams based on the quality of a submitted proposal, and they work together in a team to construct an experiment, meeting the parameters set forth by AHAB (size, weight, power, etc). They are given a budget, and once their experiment is completed, the high school students are invited to come and watch the launch.
The science subsystem works toward a specific scientific goal or mission. They accomplish their goal by mounting instruments and sensors on the interior and exterior of the flight structure for flight. Data captured by this system is stored by C&DH, and analyzed upon the system’s return to Earth.
The Structure includes the rigging, and also the container the communications system resides in. The rigging is used to attach the balloon to the communication system. The parachute is also part of the rigging, and is held open by a ring. The parachute stays open so that it can catch the air when the system begins its descent.
The Primary Flight Tracking consists of three major on-board system parts: the Radio, the Terminal Node Controller(TNC), and the GPS.
Unlike the Primary Flight Tracking, this system contains a radio, TNC, and GPS unit all in one. It uses a “rubber duck” antenna for transmitting, but does not receive. It however is not connected to the C&DH system; it is self contained.
Ground tracking consists of tracking the balloon. This is done by traveling in a car with an antenna to receive the transmission the balloon sends out containing its position. This data is then interpreted by a laptop in the car and is displayed in a program called UIView32. The Ground Tracking team typically consists of two or three units, spread out along the balloon projected path. Our ground stations consist of a radio, a TNC, and a 12V battery.
The C&DH system is responsible for storing data and different media, for accommodating any requested functions of individual systems, and also for “cutting down” the system (releasing the balloon). Data storage is necessary and provided for any and all sensors, pictures taken by on-board still cameras, and also any video taken by on-board capture devices.
Power is supplied to all components via cabling from a centralized power system. The only exception to this is the secondary tracking system, which is powered by its own battery source. The power system is controlled by two external switches to be turned on at the launch site.