1. Principles and practices¶
This week I worked on defining my final project idea
1 Brainstorm Final projects¶
2 Decide on a final project.¶
3 Learn Git¶
4 Start editing and uploading info & doccumentation to website.¶
project¶
CUBESAT LAUCHED BY BALLON¶
skech of the project
Problem statment
The Concept of the project and how I adapted my small system to it. A Cubesat is a type of satellite called NANOSATELLITE due to its size(10cmx10cmx10cm) and its weight (1- 4kg). It has as basic Components: The EPS(ELectrical Powering System) that is composed by rechargeable batteries and solar panels that power them,for my system this part was covered by 4 batteries that will provide 6V while connected in series powered by a 7V solar pannel series connection helium ballon and parachutte .The payload will be the NANOSATELLITE
OVERVIEW¶
To make this happen I’ll really need to concentrate on five things. The Prep. The Payload. The Balloon and Parachute. The Launch. The Recovery. Each has it’s challenges, but don’t worry, I’ll walk on it through each step. To make it simple I’ll have to.
My Tasks¶
Prep:¶
Acquire what is needed (links to where I bought everything )
Payload:¶
Prepare the package (the payload is just NANOSATELLITE TO IN SPACE )
Balloon and Parachute: I’ll show just what I need
Launch:¶
There is some math involved, but have no fear, the charts are here.
Recovery:¶
Retrieving the balloon is a giant goose-chase! Exciting
Prep: Things You Will Need¶
Payload:¶
I used 5 GoPros to send up with extra battery packs (this is what I did, so I’m starting here – exclude as needed) * Something to mount them on in desired configuration – styrofoam cooler, adhesive, camera mounts, 3M stickies, plexiglass, foam Helium Balloon – 3, 300g balloons, 80,000ft, 8FT Diameter, 12’4” burst
- GPS tracking device – Spot 3
- Parachute – 6foot Something cool to put in the frame? Ultimately we attached a ruler and a photo of us, but an altimeter could also be cool. Hand-warmers if i want to extend the life of the cameras. (they do add weight to the payload though).
- Duct tape (do not use metal tape)
- Digital scale (for accuracy weighing payload)
- Helium Cylinder i chosed the large, but a smaller one might do as well.
- Tank Regulator
- Plastic tubing
- Zip ties
- Small piece of PVC
The Payload¶
A payload is the cubesat or nanisatellite i will send up to space with the balloon – the one i will hopefully retrieve all data from my cubesat after it floats safely back to Earth
Project¶
The Parachute¶
The parachute is what’s going to allow my payload to drift gently down to earth. I’ll need to get one that matches the weight of my payload. I got a 6 foot balloon from Rocketman. I can find here
The Balloon¶
The balloon, like the parachute, needs to be matched to the size of my payload. The size also relates to how high i want it to go. There is some math needed in this section.
How high will the balloon go before it bursts?
First, i need to find the burst altitude. i suggest going to this Burst Calculator at Habhub
Some of the questions i want to ask at this stage are :
How do i get a balloon? How much weight can it carry? How far will the balloon go? How high? Altimeter? What will be its top rate of speed? How does speed vary on rate and descent? How long will it take to get to space? When will the balloon pop? Calculations
How much helium balloon plus payload
Approximate lift of spherical volumes in liters of Helium in diameters of feet and lift in pounds. Assuming standard temperatures and pressures and no significant overpressure. Remember that hydrogen and methane are serious explosion and fire hazards so only use helium balloons.
Filling the balloon¶
Filling the balloon is easy. All i’ll do is stick in a plastic tube, connected to the helium ballon and start filling it up. It’s not rocket science although i will want to make certain that i am not filling it too much or too little. i filled my balloon to a diameter of 6′ so that it would burst at 12′ and have the right ascent and descent rate. Here is a good link for more info on that here
The Purpose¶
My project would consist in the innovation of cubesat lauched by the helium baloon technology .