Announcement of EOSS-84

Friday morning update 17-Sep-04 09:25

Randy Collander has given us the go for tomorrow's launch so be sure to listen in to this evening's Tracking and Recovery net to get the latest details on tactical assignments.

LAUNCH DATE: September 18, 2004 (alternates Sept. 19, Sept. 25, Sept. 26)

Because of the large balloon envelope, excellent surface weather conditions are an absolute must for this flight. Thus, the three alternate launch dates.

LAUNCH TIME: 07:00 am MDT (13:00 UTC)

The large envelop being used for this flight requires near calm conditions to launch, so the window opens at 7 am but a hold may be instituted if better surface conditions are expected.

LAUNCH SITE: Meadow Lake Airport, CO (directions here)

Please review the directions page if you plan to attend the launch in person. It maps out the airport's strict restrictions on where you can drive).

EOSS Frequencies:

Global Frequencies

  • Preflight Net:
    • 147.225 MHz 8 pm MDT preceding Saturday night
      • 145.160 MHz simulcast in the Springs
    • 146.640 MHz will serve as a backup frequency
  • Tracking and Recovery Operations
    • 448.450 MHz PPFMA (100 Hz Tone) (approved-final)
    • 146.550 MHz simplex (same simplex for field and launch ops)
    • Repeater Coverage Pages - Listings of all repeaters available in the expected flight areas.
    • There may be FRS operations. Not expected this flight but see THIS PAGE for a list of channel numbers and their associated UHF Frequencies.
    • 7.228 MHz HF

all freqs below tentative

EOSS-84 (EOSS Frequencies)

  • Beacon
    • 147.555 MHz
      • ID: W5VSI in CW
  • APRS
    • 144.340 MHz (Payload Train)
      • ID: W5VSI-11
      • DIGI: EOSS
    • 445.975 MHz (Raven Balloon Envelope)
      • ID: K�YUK-11
    • Note: After payload separation, this APRS beacon will follow the descent of the balloon, NOT the payloads. We plan to clean up after ourselves by recovering the balloon after it lands.

EOSS-84 (FSL Frequencies)

  • Packet
    • 145.600 MHz (Telemetry)
      • ID: KB�TVJ-11
  • ATV
    • 426.250 MHz (AM Color)
      • ID: KB�TVJ

Flight Systems:

EOSS-84

Balloon Manufacturer Raven
Balloon Type plastic
Balloon Size 19,000 cu. ft.
Payload 28 lbs (Gains only)
Free Lift % calculated at fill
Ascent Rate 1000 fpm estimated
Descent Rate  900 fpm estimated
Parachute 10 ft. diameter
Peak Altitude determined after flight
Launch Conditions determined at launch

Payload Configuration:

Preliminary

EOSS Grid:

Posted the night before the flight.

Location Grid X Grid Y
Falcon 2.7 5
Genoa 62 29
Flagler 85 30.1
Byers 23 58
Last Chance 56.4 60
Meadow Lake (launch) 4.3 5.6
Predicted Touchdown 58 32.8

Tactical Callsigns:

Tactical Callsign Name Notes
Alpha N�NDM Larry coordinator
Alpha (b) W�CBH Benjie  
Bravo K�JLZ Jim  
Bravo (b) K�AEM Richard  
Charlie KC�RPS Jim  
Charlie (b) W�NFW George  
Delta WA�GEH Marty  
Echo K�ANN Ann  
Foxtrot KI�DZ Mary Frances  
Golf NQ�R Randy  
Hotel K�ANI Larry  
India N�LP Nick Ground Station

Notes:

Our Customers

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to fly an experiment aimed at testing a piece of hardware intended for use onboard the GAINS balloons.

Web pages of interest: