High Altitude Balloon Project

The goals of this project were to design and build a payload to be attached to a weather balloon that would reach an altitude of 100,000 feet and return safely to earth. The payload contained both experiments and tracking equipment such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver and amateur (HAM) radio. The payload was first launched to test the communication and tracking equipment and to define the launch procedures. The remaining launches were to contain the experiments and improved command module that implemented redundant tracking systems. Experiments that were performed included a solar cell study at high altitudes and altitude profiling of temperature, pressure, and humidity.

This project used a collaboration of mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure that all components of the project were designed and working properly. The electrical engineers focused on a timer circuit for the camera, directional and omni-directional antennas, and the solar cell experiment. The mechanical engineers focused on designing the payload to withstand extreme conditions, creating a weather balloon filling mechanism, predicting the flight path of the balloon, developing the balloon tracking method, integrating all systems, and designing other experiments.

This project established the high altitude balloon program at Wright State University. The experiments performed were significant for a variety of reasons. Very little testing has been done on solar cells at high altitudes and this project helped increase the knowledge base. Determining the effects of low temperature, pressure, and humidity on the electronics can also aid in the development of more robust systems.

http://www.humanfactors.wright.edu/balloon/images/5/52/Balloon2006-...