Announcement of EOSS-44

Check the EOSS List Server for the most up to date info.

LAUNCH DATE: Sunday - October 1, 2000
LAUNCH TIME: 15:00 UTC - 09:00 MDT
LAUNCH SITE: Circle 8 Ranch (see map for directions)

Balloon Track for Windows                                Version 1.6.5
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Flight Prediction

Sunday, October 01, 2000           EOSS-44          DEN_00_10_01_1200Z.dat
8:03:11 AM                     Circle 8 Ranch                 wbaltrak.ini
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Winds DataFile
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Station: DEN
Date: 1200Z  1 OCT 00
DataFile Status: Errors in Source File
Intact Records: 38
Corrupt Records: 2

Launch Site - Circle 8 Ranch
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Launch Point: 39.3347� lat.   -104.5469� long.
Ascent Rate: 1112 feet per minute
Descent Rate: 1017 feet per minute
Altitude: 6632 feet

VOR Station - Falcon(FQF)
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Latitude: 39.6867� lat.
Longitude: -104.6233� long.
Magnetic Offset: -10.0� from True Degrees

Maximums Enroute
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Distance to LOS: 418.7 Mi.
Maximum Range: 59.1 Mi.
Maximum Winds: 92.1 mph from 315� at 39,379 feet altitude

Burst Data
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Burst Point: 39.1804� lat.  -103.8412� long.
Burst Time: 85.8 minutes
Burst Altitude: 102,000 feet
Burst Bearing: 105.5�
Burst Range: 39.2 Mi.

Predicted Landing Site
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Landing Point: 39.0785� lat.  -103.4928� long.
Altitude: 4873 feet
Flight Time: 123 Minutes
Bearing: 107.1� True
Range: 59.1 Mi.
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PRIMARY EXPERIMENT:

  • The �Mars Micro Balloon Probe� which will place a series of balloons in the Martian atmosphere. The objective of this flight are to test and develop inflatable gases from compounds that are normally liquids at Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP). The Mars surface pressure is simulated at 100,000 feet above sea level, thus the experiment on an EOSS balloon. This experiment will attempt to inflate balloons using various compounds. This will also permit a test of the deployment canisters required on Mars.

    On this flight, the deployment will take place during the descent phase. In order to simulate the descent rate expected at Mars, there will be three balloons inflated and attached to the payload train to provide drag during the descent phase. At maximum altitude, the 3000 gram balloon will be cut away, the three drag balloons will then provide a means to slow the descent from maximum altitude. Once the payload train reaches terminal velocity (30 to 50 meters per second) the Mars balloon deployment will begin. The entire payload train will then descend to around 30K feet at which point the three drag balloons will be cut away. The payload will descend to the ground slowed only by the parachute.

    The EOSS Shuttle II ATV camera will monitor the balloon deployment and inflation. Tune in for the excitement.

PRIMARY INTEGRATOR:

  • Pioneer Astronautics, Dr. Robert Zubrin, Dean Spieth, �Mars Micro Balloon Probe�.

FREQUENCIES:

  • Preflight Foxhunt Net 8 pm the night before flight
    • 147.225 MHz Colorado Repeater Association
  • Launch Site:
    • Simplex 146.550 MHz
  • Telemetry:
    • 144.340 MHz APRS, Temps in and out, housekeeping, generic navigation
  • ATV
    • 426.250 MHz NTSC video
  • Beacon
    • 147.555 MHz
  • APRS
    • APRS String on the output of the EOSS Shuttle II
  • Foxhunters:
    • 448.450 MHz Pikes Peak FM Association (pending approval)
    • 146.58 MHz Simplex Field Frequency
  • HF Net 7.235 MHz

Notes:

EOSS #44 is on schedule and will launch at 9:00 am MDT, Sunday October 1, 2000 (no rain date). The launch site is Circle 8 Ranch. Listen for the beacon on 147.555 MHz and look for ATV on 426.250 MHz. The flight should reach 100,000 ft. and the beacons should be heard in a 400 mile radius.

We also welcome Gary Snyder and Dean Spieth from Pioneer Astronautics. They are continuing a series of experiments and flights to test inflation techniques using various liquid/gas compounds and balloon deployment canisters for future Mars balloon missions.

Friday night, September 30th, Marty [WA0GEH] will conduct the tracking and recovery net on 147.225 MHz, 8:00 MDT. Logistics for the tracking and recovery operation will be discussed. Please plan to listen in or, if you are interested, joining the effort.

Tracking and Recovery People: Please advise if you can support this flight to Marty Griffin, wa0geh@arrl.net or 303-470-5471. This will save a phone call, thanks.

The Tracking and Recovery net will be on 448.450 MHz Sunday, October 1st. At about 7:00 am logistic traffic will start to flow. This will be become a DIRECTED net, all traffic for the recovery effort will be directed through Marty [WA0GEH].

 

Shuttle Generated Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS):

Some of the APRS systems aboard EOSS payloads will act as digipeaters. However, we request that only the Chase team use this system in order to minimize the disruption to the packet telemetry. Chase team APRS info is used to assist in coordinating placement of the various DF teams.

Please disable your beacons on the EOSS packet frequencies, as that will minimize interference to other stations in your area trying to copy telemetry. Of course, if we are on the National APRS frequency, you should continue to beacon out your data as usual. WE do NOT want to interfere with 144.390 MHz traffic other than to add our balloon's location.