High Altitude Imaging and Atmospheric Data Collection
Experiment
by
SABRE(Scientific Aerospace and Balloon Research Engineers)
Team Advisor: Atin SinhaTeam Leader: Ashle’ PerryTeam Member: Jeremy Robinson Team Member: Nedgby Marcelin
22
Mission Goal
Acquire pressure & temperature data from sea level to stratosphere
Compare the data with that predicted by standard atmospheric model
Compare the data with the recorded value by weather balloon launched same day
Identify possible causes if any variance is observed
33
Mission Objectives
Launch payload from the ground to about 33 km into the atmosphere
Record temperature and pressure data as well as video images
Retrieve the data for post-flight analysis
Compare the data with standard model and experimentally observed data
Make a presentation to the PACER staff
44
Science Objectives
Verify the trend of temperature and pressure variation with altitude as predicted by standard atmospheric model
Compare the observed temperature and pressure with the recorded data in the region on the day of experiment
Determine the variation of the container surface temperature with the ambient temperature
Determine the height of the tropopause and how far it extends
Account for unexpected changes in temperature due to albedo
55Science Requirements
Record the ambient and surface temperature from -75º C to 35º C every 15 seconds with an accuracy of 0.5º C
Record pressure from above 1000 mb to near vacuum every 15 seconds with an accuracy of 5 mb
Record time synchronized with temperature and pressure recording
Record altitude synchronized with the rest of the data
Record video images of earth’s surface extending to horizon to provide any visual clue for discrepancy in expected result
66Standard Atmospheric Model(Temperature)
77Standard Atmospheric Model(Pressure)
88Summer Temperature Changes at Ft. Worth in 2009
99
Technical Objectives
Record the temperature, and pressure data
Record video images
Build payload that can withstand the environmental conditions of the upper atmosphere (up to about 33 km), and survive landing
Stay within project financial budget
Provide power to the payload for at least 4 hours
Complete PDR, CDR, and FRR on schedule
1010Technical Requirements
Equip the payload with two temperature and one pressure sensors to
be able to measure -75º C to 35º C and 1000 to 6 mb respectively
Provide a real time clock to time stamp the data
Install a video camera to continuously record the image
Maintain the interior temperature of the payload above -20º C
Write all information on a non-volatile memory microchip
Use sturdy, lightweight material to construct the payload so that it can survive the environmental condition of upper atmosphere and survive rough landing
Provide lightweight, inexpensive powersupply for the duration of flight (about 4 hours)
Develop and follow a detailed project management schedule to complete the project in a timely fashion and within budget
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Project ActivitiesElectrical Circuit DesignSensors and Control Power SupplySoftware Design and PrototypingMechanical Design and Thermal ControlFabrication and Environmental TestingData Acquisition, Testing and Validation Launch ActivitiesPost flight Data Processing and AnalysisDocumentation and Presentation
1212
Mechanical Design
13
Payload Design13
1414
Payload Design
Is a hexagonal foam structure with the following components securely mounted on a sliding partition:
BalloonSat board
Sensor board mounted piggy back
Video camera
2 Battery packs
15
External structure15
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Internal Structure16
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Payload Support17
1818
Thermal Design
1919
Thermal DesignDuring the course of the Balloon flight the payload is going to
travel through the Troposphere, the Tropopause, and the Stratosphere.
While traveling through these levels in the atmosphere our payload will encounter temperatures ranging from approximately -60°C to 20°C.
The payload will also have to encounter pressures ranging from approximately 100,000 pascals to 1000 pascals.
In addition our payload box will encounter small amounts of shortwave radiation, also called albedo..
2020
Thermal Calculations
Insulation Power Surface Material Inner Outer Emissivity Conductivity Absorbtion
Thickness (m) (W)
area (m) Temp °C Temp °C (W/mK)
0.02 0 0.065aluminum
foil -18.1 -18.1 0.05 0.08 0.05
0.02 0.5 0.065aluminum
foil -1.2 -3 0.05 0.08 0.05
0.02 1 0.065aluminum
foil 14.7 11.1 0.05 0.08 0.05
0.02 1.5 0.065aluminum
foil 29.8 24.3 0.05 0.08 0.05
0.02 2 0.065aluminum
foil 44.1 36.8 0.05 0.08 0.05
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Thermal Dynamics Plot21
2222
Weight Table
Components Weight (g)Uncertainty
(g)
BalloonSat 69 +0
BalloonSat Battery pack 62 +1
Camera Battery Pack 43 +1
(Wires/cables/sensors/screws/boards) 15 +1
BalloonSat with extra sensor board 115 +1
Camera 106 +0
Box/insulation 98 +1
Total 508 +5
2323
Electrical and System Design
2424Electrical Design
2525
Power Supply
2626
Power Budget
Component Voltage(V) Current (mA)
Duration (H) Power (mW) Capacity (mA-hr)
BalloonSat 12 55 4 660 220Camera 5 500 3 1500 1500
Temperature Sensor
Circuitry12 4.3 4 51.6 17.2
Pressure Sensor
Circuitry12 3.7 4 44.4 14.8
Total Excluding
Camera12 63 4 756 252
Total 12563
42256 1752
2727Power Discharge for Main Battery Pack
Discharge Plot from Kodak.com
Plot relating discharge to temperature from Kodak.com
2828
Power Discharge for Camera Battery Pack
Discharge Plot from Energizer.com
― Room Temperature ― 0ºC ― -21ºC
2929Sensor Circuit Board Board
3030
Software Design
3131Data Event FormattingDescription Data type size(bits) size(byte)10's of months Nibble 4 0.5
1's of months Nibble 4 0.5
10's of dates Nibble 4 0.5
1's of dates Nibble 4 0.5
10's of hours Nibble 4 0.5
1's of hours Nibble 4 0.5
10's of minutes Nibble 4 0.5
1's of minutes Nibble 4 0.5
10's of seconds Nibble 4 0.5
1's of seconds Nibble 4 0.5
Pressure sensor Byte 8 1
Temperaturesensor A Byte 8 1
Temperaturesensor B Byte 8 1
TOTAL N/A 64 8
3232
Flight Software
3333
System Testing Results
3434
Vacuum Testing
3535
Thermal Testing
3636
Shock Testing
3737
Calibrations
3838Pressure Sensor Calibration
3939Temperature Sensor A Calibration
4040
Temperature Sensor B Calibration
4141
Data Acquisition and Analysis Plan
4242Ground Software Implementation and
Verification
BASIC Stamp programming software
Term 232 software
Microsoft Media Player software
Microsoft Notepad software
Graphical Analysis software
Microsoft Excel software
Data Analysis
44
Flight Profile
05000
1000015000200002500030000350004000045000500005500060000650007000075000800008500090000
0:00:00 0:28:48 0:57:36 1:26:24 1:55:12 2:24:00
Flight Time (H:M:S)
Alt
itu
de
(ft
)
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Pressure Profile
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000
Altitude (ft)
Am
bie
nt
Pre
ssu
re (
mb
)
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Comparison of Temperature (Ascent vs. Descent)
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10000
20000
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50000
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70000
80000
90000
-80 -60 -40 -20 0 20 40
Temperature (Deg C)
Alt
itu
de
(ft)
Ascent Descent
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Comparison of Balloon Data with Ft. Worth Data and Standard Atmospheric Data
0
5000
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-80.0 -70.0 -60.0 -50.0 -40.0 -30.0 -20.0 -10.0 0.0 10.0 20.0 30.0 40.0
Temperature (Deg C)
Alti
tude
(m)
Standard Atmosphere Ft. Worth Data Balloon Data
49Comparison of Balloon Data with Ft. Worth and Standard Atmospheric Data
0
5000
10000
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20000
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0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200Pressure (mb)
Alt
itu
de
(m)
Standard Atmosphere Ft. Worth Data Balloon Data
5050Team SABRE: Albany State University
51
Questions ???
