CricketSat Flight Procedures Mike Fortney University of Vermont

Flight Preparation Steps CricketSat flight system CricketSat flight system Flight system materials Flight system materials Prepare CricketSat sensor Prepare CricketSat sensor Attach parachute Attach parachute Fill balloon Fill balloon Attach balloon Attach balloon

CricketSat Flight System Balloon Balloon Parachute Parachute CricketSat sensor CricketSat sensor

Flight System Materials CricketSat LP temperature sensor CricketSat LP temperature sensor 36” party balloon 36” party balloon – May be purchased already filled with helium – $10 filled, $3 not filled Model rocket parachute Model rocket parachute – Estes 18” or 24” – $ feet of cotton string 3 feet of cotton string 8” plastic tie wraps (qty 3) 8” plastic tie wraps (qty 3) 1” wide double sided adhesive foam (qty 2) 1” wide double sided adhesive foam (qty 2) – Cut to 2” length Helium if balloon is not filled at store Helium if balloon is not filled at store Miscellaneous Miscellaneous – Scissors – Whiteout – Rubber cement

CricketSat Sensor Preparation Coat CricketSat sensor surfaces with rubber cement Coat CricketSat sensor surfaces with rubber cement Attach battery Attach battery – Use double layer of foam strips – Secure with single tie wrap Paint thermistor body and leads white using whiteout Paint thermistor body and leads white using whiteout

Attach Parachute to CricketSat Locate the four mounting holes on the CricketSat sensor Locate the four mounting holes on the CricketSat sensor CricketSat will be launched horizontally, upside down CricketSat will be launched horizontally, upside down Route a tie wrap through the two holes on each side, forming a loop Route a tie wrap through the two holes on each side, forming a loop Pull loops together and attach parachute strings Pull loops together and attach parachute strings

Attach Balloon to Parachute Place a small piece of tissue wadding in underside center of the parachute Place a small piece of tissue wadding in underside center of the parachute Tie one end of the string around this wadding for the parachute attachment Tie one end of the string around this wadding for the parachute attachment Tie the other end of the string to the balloon Tie the other end of the string to the balloon

Ground System Materials CricketSat or ham radio UHF receiver CricketSat or ham radio UHF receiver Stopwatch (interval delay) Stopwatch (interval delay) Watch (time) Watch (time) Paper and pen Paper and pen

Final Preparation Adjust CricketSat antennae to produce a 90 degree “V” Adjust CricketSat antennae to produce a 90 degree “V” Position thermistor to extend off the side of the circuit board, placing it in the airflow Position thermistor to extend off the side of the circuit board, placing it in the airflow If using a ham radio, tune it around 434 MHz to find the CricketSat signal If using a ham radio, tune it around 434 MHz to find the CricketSat signal

CricketSat Launch Take a few ground-based measurements before releasing Take a few ground-based measurements before releasing Release balloon Release balloon Record at each tone: Record at each tone: – Time of day – Interval delay – Estimated temperature (from calibration chart)

Calibration Chart