LAUNCH DATE: August 17, 2002
LAUNCH TIME: Between 16:00 and 16:30 UTC (as of 09:47 am MDT)
Weather behaving but payloads aren't. Expect a 30 minute delay. Times above have been adjusted
LAUNCH SITE: Meadow Lake Airport (directions and map here)
Related Web Pages
NO Digis or Connects
Because of an expected high data rate being transmitted from the GAINS experiment to the ground via packet radio all TNCs will be set to only accept connects from authorized control stations. Also, DIGIs and nodes will be turned off. Please remember to turn off your beacons too as they will affect the way our ground station controllers will be able to interact with the two packet systems aboard the balloon.
Tracking and Recovery Instructions
The only special instructions:
Find a panel on the NOAA Payload marked for power connections. On it should be instructions on how to cut power, but essentially, inside the cover should be three jumpers. Disconnect them in any order.
On the ring structure you should see an ATV system. There is a toggle marked ON/OFF. Turn it off.
Leave the payload as undisturbed as possible while still accomplishing the above so that the FLS labs folks can arrive and videotape the touchdown location
APRS on Balloon
Because we are using a raven 19,000 cu. ft. balloon we want to be able to track and recover our debris. So, after the payloads are cut away and the balloon has burst, we will be tracking and recovering it too.