4/13/13 Launch!!! Top Camera Video

Launch starts at the 9 minute mark.

Balloon pops at the 3 minute mark.

Landing at 8 minute mark.

4/13/13 Launch!!! Main Camera Video

Main Camera Prep and Launch (we had some issues with the GPS tracker so the actual launch is at the 28 minute mark.

You can hear a jet pass by at the 32 minute mark.

Radar Reflector

I made the radar reflector out of heavy duty aluminum foil. 

 I cut the foil into 1 foot sheets and taped the edges with orange colored duct tape.

Finally I taped some parachute cord the top.

4/13/13 Launch!!! Pictures

GPS

I used the spot gps tracker to find the Ash Mark 1. I was hoping to get a solid track of the flight but shortly after takeoff it lost gps signal. It picked it back up again when it landed. Need to investigate further on the issue.

http://www.findmespot.com/

4/13/13 Launch!!! Details

Launch Time : 8:30am EST

Land Time: 11:09am EST

Climb Time: 1hour 54minutes

Decent Time: 45minutes

Total Time: 2hours 39minutes

Start location:
Bray Park - Siler City, NC
N35.71802 W79.44931

Landing location:
142 Sheriff Rd - Ahoskie, NC
N36.41368 W76.99887

Many thanks to:

Runnette Ethridge - Owner Rue's Decor and Gifts - For her support and tremendous friendship.

Andrew Lukonis - Owner Lukonis Violins - The best brother and co-balloon launcher.

Parachute

The parachute was made out of parachute cord, colored duct tape and an old motorcycle cover. 

 I grabbed the motorcycle cover by the top and cut about 1 foot below my hand. This produced a 2 foot diameter circle when unfolded.

I tied 4 knots on the edge of the chute material, then tied the parachute cord above those knots. Tape was added to prevent fraying.

ALD - Altitude Lift Device

Altitude Lift Device Requirements

• Low definition camera
• For ALD view
• High definition camera
• For Earth view
• Sounding balloon
• Lift vehicle
• Payload capsule
• For computer equipment and cameras
• Return vehicle

Covered Ash M1

Covered Ash M1

I spent this weekend dressing up the Ash Mark 1 vehicle.

I covered the whole outside with Duct tape. The bottom is bright orange and the sides are purple.

I used 550 Cord to make a cradle. I needed it to be a quick process to close the two halves after I turned the camera on. I decided to go with putting the top on first then slipping the supports underneath just before launch.

I finished up by taping the ends to prevent fraying and possible loosening the knots.