Recap of EOSS-101

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LAUNCH DATE: 25-Feb-2006
LAUNCH TIME: 18:33 UTC (11:33 AM MST)
LAUNCH SITE: Windsor, CO (Driving Directions)

Pre-flight Prediction and Actual Track

Blue = Actual Track
Green = Predicted Ascent Phase
Red = Predicted Descent Phase


Maps made with MapPoint
Prediction made with Balloon Track

Launch Site - Windsor
-----------------------
Launch Point: 40.4737� lat.   -104.9623� long.
Grid: X=-37.27 Y=80.61
Ascent Rate: 1200 feet per minute
Descent Rate: 1000 feet per minute
Altitude: 4931 feet
Predicted Landing Site
-----------------------
Landing Point: 40.3142� lat.  -103.3698� long.
Grid: X=46.5 Y=69.6
Altitude: 4500 feet
Flight Time: 105 Minutes
Bearing: 97.0� True
Range: 84.5 Mi.
Actual Landing Site
-----------------------
Landing Point: 40.2266� lat.  -103.3191� long.
Grid: X=49.2 Y=63.6
Bearing: 100.6� True
Range: 88.132 Mi.
Difference from Predicted to Actual Landing Site
--------------------------------------------------
Bearing: 156.2� True
Range: 6.612 Mi.
GLL = Gill CO, AKO = Akron CO

 

EOSS Frequencies:

Global Frequencies

Balloon Frequencies

  • Beacon
  • APRS
    • 144.340 MHz (Payload Train)
      • ID: AE�SS-11
      • DIGI: EOSS
      • Node: BALNOD
      • APRS Time Slotted to 0:00 every minute
      • Telemetry Every 2 minutes at 0:00
      • Sample Data
    • 145.600 MHz
      • ID: KC0YA-11
      • DIGI: EOSS
      • Node: BALNOD
      • APRS Time Slotted to 0:00 and 0:30 every 30 seconds
      • Telemetry every 10 seconds at #:##
  • ATV
    • 426.250 MHz
      • ID:AE0SS

Experimental Systems

KC0YA-11 is an APRS system built by Steve Osborne that has some similarity to the AE0SS-11 system . A KPC3+ running as the payload controller transmitting APRS, some telemetry and acting as a digi, beacon, node and mailbox. Steve has also added some additional capabilities, most notably, a controller which will sense a failure of the KPC3 and set the system to beacon in a more pure DF mode until the KPC3's GPS/APRS capabilities come back on line. In future flights once it has been qualified this system will probably be carry the AE0SS callsign designation.

The data files, when added will show a nice solid APRS track for this flight coming down from KC0YA-11. Excellent first flight.

Mechanical Load Sensing Release - Mike Manes designed a release mechanism that will release the balloon shards immediately upon sensing the cessation of lift. This system is armed via a command sent via radio. So, the system will not release until it has been set thus averting problems in the bumpy initial take off regime.

It worked perfectly. At the second frame of video (1/15 sec) after the burst the release opened and the shards were discarded before they could entangle themselves in the flight train. Excellent first flight for this payload too.

Flight Systems:

Balloon Manufacturer Kaysam
Balloon Type latex
Balloon Size 1200 gram
Payload 11 lbs.
Free Lift % calculated at fill
Ascent Rate 1000 fpm estimated
Descent Rate 910 fpm estimated
Parachute 7 ft
Peak Altitude 75,155 ft. ASL
Launch Conditions determined at launch

 

Payload Configuration:

Internet Gateway Stations:

as seen on Findu.Com

For AE0SS-11

  • KI4GYZ - Arthur Hostmark, Thornton, CO
  • K0AEM-1 - Richard Beggs, Thornton, CO
  • K0UT-2 - Bill Beach, Ft. Collins, CO
  • KC0LNO - Michael M Skinner, Monument, CO

For KC0YA-11

  • AB0XK - Robert Roe - Russell, KS
  • K0UT-2 - Bill Beach - Ft. Collins, CO
  • K0YG-7 - Mark Patton - Foxfield, CO
  • N0PSJ - Christopher Holmes, Arvada, CO

EOSS wishes to express our sincere appreciation to the stations above who iGated the balloon APRS telemetry onto the internet.

We are relying heavily on real time position information available on the net to allow the FAA controllers to have up to the minute location data to assist them in air traffic control.

Redundant stations for the balloon iGating provide excellent coverage. If you are able to iGate we invite you to join the Internet Gateway Team. Contact me (webmaster@eoss.org) to be put in touch with the coordinator. By joining the team, you are giving peace of mind to the iGate coordinator for that flight. He knows you'll be there and he can rely on you.

Naturally, anyone can iGate data onto the net and even if you aren't a member of the team we will welcome your contribution to the internet based tracking effort. If you callsign appears on the findu.com log, you'll be shown as a contributing station as those above are.

Having more than one station covering each APRS beacon means that should a station drop out momentarily, the others can often maintain the data flow.

Thanks again guys! The FAA (and EOSS) are very grateful for your assistance in this endeavor.

Future I-Gaters:

Check out the EOSS I-Gate page for information on how to participate and why we need you.

Current I-Gate Stations:

Guys, the prediction program used to determine the track of the balloon prior to flight can now output a prediction for the Rise, Closest Approach, and Set of the balloon for each of your stations. I have posted a prediction page for stations that I have been able to discover geographic coordinates. See the I-Gate prediction page for an example. The page will not be updated daily, however, it will be updated the evening prior to flight for I-gate planning purposes.

I have often been asked by iGaters when they should expect to either start receiving signals (AOS) or expect to see those signals disappear (LOS). This prediction page should answer all those questions for you.

Tracking and Recovery Info:

Tactical Callsigns

Tactical Callsign Name Notes
Alpha N0NDM-7, W6AUN Larry and  Perry Tracking and Recovery Coordinator
Bravo WA0GEH-9, N0AUS Marty and Al  
Charlie KB0YRZ-11 Chris  
Delta N0MPM, WG0E Mike and Colin  
Echo KC0RPS-2, W0NFW Jim and George  
Foxtrot K0AEM-7, KI4GYZ Richard and Art Saturday only
Golf AC7FY-2 Clinton Saturday only

 

Grid

Location X Y
Last Chance 35 30
Wiggins 10 64
Cope 74.5 26
Akron 55 59

Photos

Launch Site

Burst Screen Captures

Landing Site

Audio

The Tracking and Recovery team traffic from the Rocky Mountain Radio League's 449.450 MHz repeater from lift off to recovery.

Video

  • Some Video from DSES. (129 KB WMV) Shows the last few seconds of ascent. Then an intermittent radio transmission destroyed the video of the burst and then some video of the initial descent. Shows how nice the picture from the DSES 60' dish can be. Too bad the burst video capture was ruined. Oh well.
  • A Second Video from DSES. (589 KB WMV) This file shows the actual burst of the balloon.


Deep Space Exploration Society "Iron" (DSES website)

  • Final descent and landing. (5 MB WMV) Chris Krengel's (KB0YRZ) recording from the onboard ATV system showing the final stages of descent and the landing.

Data

The best data is currently from AE0SS-11. I have received the on board log files and used them to create a full file of all position data from lift-off to landing.

AE0SS-11

KC0YA-11

Charts & Maps

Flight Path in Google Earth