HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON (HAB) SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT Odera Eziolisa Dale Hardacre Kaneisha Wilson Advisors: Joseph C. Slater, PhD, PE J. Mitch Wolff, PhD Bruce Rahn Graduate Student Mentors: Emily Henry Nicholas Baine Odera Eziolisa Dale Hardacre Kaneisha Wilson Advisors: Joseph C. Slater, PhD, PE J. Mitch Wolff, PhD Bruce Rahn Graduate Student Mentors: Emily Henry Nicholas Baine

Outline Project Importance Project Scope Design and Experimental Process Expected Results What issues/Problems we are facing Budget Project Importance Project Scope Design and Experimental Process Expected Results What issues/Problems we are facing Budget

Project Importance During natural disasters, amateur radio is often the first form of communication. Practical use of handheld radio equipment in VHF and above frequencies is limited to line of sight propagation. The use of a repeater can greatly increase the communications range of an amateur radio operator.

Scope of Project For the scope of this project, the team will focus on New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina. The diameter of the designated communication area was found to be 300 miles. For the scope of this project, the team will focus on New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina. The diameter of the designated communication area was found to be 300 miles.

This Year’s Objective Maintain communication with the balloon for 24 hours within the designated communication area

This Year’s Objective Maintain communication with the balloon for 24 hours within the designated communication area Deploy a repeater into near space Stabilize altitude Change altitudes if needed Maintain communication with the balloon for 24 hours within the designated communication area Deploy a repeater into near space Stabilize altitude Change altitudes if needed

BackgroundBackground What is a High Altitude Balloon? 60k-120k Feet Typically filled with helium or hydrogen What is a High Altitude Balloon? 60k-120k Feet Typically filled with helium or hydrogen Payload Box Reducing Ring Parachute Balloon

Initial Concepts ConceptPro’sCon’s Controlling the Initial amount of Helium added Can be calculated to not reach burst altitude Will ascend slowly Will decrease over time Cannot change altitudes on control Continuously Venting Helium Will Stabilize at an initial altitude Will decrease over time Cannot change altitudes on control Life duration limited by the amount of helium Venting Helium & Dropping Ballast Has been done Works well for stabilizing altitude Has altitude changing capability Helium venting Added ballast weight Life duration restricted by the amount of ballast and helium Multiple Helium Balloons & Dropping Ballast Solution for venting the helium balloons Has altitude changing capability More Material Costs Added ballast weight Life duration limited by the amount of ballast and helium

Basic Schematic Altitude Controlled through a Solar Balloon based on the concept of NASA’s Long-Life Stratospheric Balloon System

TimelineTimeline Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr. Background Research Technical Training Design Training Launch Build System/Ground Testing First Launch Re-Design Final Launch Final Analysis

Expected Results Based upon collected wind data, the balloon can stay within the necessary communications range without use of a propulsion system. Using different altitudes the balloon will be able to find changing wind speeds and directions to control the balloon. Practical winds speeds are available above 60,000 feet. Based upon collected wind data, the balloon can stay within the necessary communications range without use of a propulsion system. Using different altitudes the balloon will be able to find changing wind speeds and directions to control the balloon. Practical winds speeds are available above 60,000 feet.

Maximum Allowable Speed Favorable wind speeds can be observed during the months of February and March between 60,000 and 100,000 feet.

Drift Range The diameter of the disaster area is =300 miles The radius is determined by the altitude, =√(2 ∗ℎ,) where ℎ is the altitude in feet. The drift is the allowable movement, in a straight line, of the communications circle while keeping the disaster circle within its limits =2−300 The diameter of the disaster area is =300 miles The radius is determined by the altitude, =√(2 ∗ℎ,) where ℎ is the altitude in feet. The drift is the allowable movement, in a straight line, of the communications circle while keeping the disaster circle within its limits =2−300

Drift Range Repeater coverage versus disaster area with balloon at 100K feet.

Maximum Allowable Speed These calculations assume the balloon travels at a constant speed in one direction.

Sample Wind Data February 2012

Wind Data February 2012 Wind Data February 2012 Altitudes between 70,000 and 90,000 feet have a significantly greater chance of success. Only 4 out of 29 days (14%) had average wind speeds above the allowable maximum in all altitude ranges. Altitudes between 70,000 and 90,000 feet have a significantly greater chance of success. Only 4 out of 29 days (14%) had average wind speeds above the allowable maximum in all altitude ranges.

Other Challenges Equipment must operate at extreme temperatures in vacuum. Long duration testing is required due to length of flight Create a mechanism to allow for emergency drop procedures if communication with balloon is lost. Timed-drop mechanism that can be reset with handheld device Equipment must operate at extreme temperatures in vacuum. Long duration testing is required due to length of flight Create a mechanism to allow for emergency drop procedures if communication with balloon is lost. Timed-drop mechanism that can be reset with handheld device

Other Challenges Design package to keep all of the component temperature within their designed operating range. To do this analysis we will have to know constants such like the heat transfer coefficient and the thermal conductivity of the material that makes up the wall of the control module. Design package to keep all of the component temperature within their designed operating range. To do this analysis we will have to know constants such like the heat transfer coefficient and the thermal conductivity of the material that makes up the wall of the control module.

BudgetBudget

TimelineTimeline Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr. Background Research Technical Training Design Training Launch Build System/Ground Testing First Launch Re-Design Final Launch Final Analysis

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