Abstract

This paper describes a successful high altitude balloon mission carried out by students from VA Tech's ECE 2984 Exploration of the Space Environment class. The balloon went 32, 708 meters (107,310 ft) into the stratosphere and the payload was successfully recovered. The mission was designed to introduce students to the system aspects of space flight. The students ranged from sophomores to seniors in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics, and Aerospace Engineering. The students addressed the regulatory environment, mass and link power budgets, sensors, structure, planning and organization, and "test like you fly" mission assurance. The 1.36 kg payload carried two cameras, a VHF amateur radio with an Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS) modem, and a GPS receiver. In addition to the cameras, the payload also carried a simple magnetometer, a three axis accelerometer, an atmospheric pressure sensor, and temperature sensors. The sensor data was recorded with an on board data logger as well as transmitted to the ground via the APRS. One of the mission objectives was to develop the expertise and infrastructure to do more complex missions in concert with VA Tech's Space@VT space science research group.

How to Cite:

Sweeney, D. G. & McCraw, C., (2012) “Project Ellie: Hokies go to the Edge of Space—VA Tech High Altitude Balloon Mission as an Introduction to the Space Environment”, Academic High Altitude Conference 2012(1), 84–97. doi: https://doi.org//ahac.8328