1. Stratofox Aerospace Tracking Team Presented by Ian Kluft KO6YQ ARRL EmCommWest/ Pacificon2009 Reno, Nevada May 2, 2009

2. About Stratofox 3. About Stratofox

We're an amateur group which performs tracking services for high altitude rocket and balloon flights

4. Our team has familiarity with the Black Rock Desert region, a rocket launch site in Northern Nevada 5. Members have experience in high-power rocketry, Ham Radio, 4x4, amateur astronomy, search & rescue, wilderness first responder, etc 6. Our goal is to get invitations to all the cool launches for our members and help the civilian entrepreneurial aerospace industry get off the ground 7. What does Stratofox's name mean?

It stands for Stratospheric foxhunt

8. The Stratosphere is the layer of the atmosphere from 40,000' to 120,000' 9. Hams call a hidden transmitter search a foxhunt 10. The most challenging type of transmitter hunt is one where the transmitter fell from the sky 11. So no one can tell you where they hid it 12. That's what we do 13. Quick History

Founded in late 2002

14. First high-altitude rocket recovery in June 2003 Paragon Labs' Dragoon I (mid-altitude systems test) altitude 16 miles, found 6 miles away 15. Recovered first amateur rocket launched to space, CSXT Space Shot in May 2004 altitude 72 miles, found 18 miles away 16. Recovered 8 high-altitude balloons in 2007-2008 for Stanford University and NASA Ames which flew to altitudes up to 100,000', found up to 80 miles away 17. Which events has Stratofox supported?

Paragon Dragoon I, II, IIB 2003-2005

18. CSXT Space Shot 2004 19. AeroPac To100K (3 launches) 2005-2006 20. Stanford BioLaunch B07A-F/B08A-B 2007-present 21. Soka University (Japan) CanSat recovery 2008 22. Stratofox and Paragon start together

Paragon's test launch of Dragoon I in 2003 was Stratofox's first recovery

23. Continued to support Paragon space launch efforts in 2004 and 2005 24. Assistance planned as ground crew for Lunar Lander Challenge Stratofox locates Paragon Dragoon I in 15 minutes (June 2003) 25. CSXT Space Shot 2004

First amateur rocket launch to space

26. Launched 11:12AM May 17, 2004 27. Suborbital flight to 72 mi, 115km, 380,000' 28. Landed 18 mi / 25 km away 29. ARRL news reported on success of rocket carrying amateur radio 30. This photo on display in ARRL HQ lobby in Newington CT Photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ 31. CSXT Space Shot 2004 Stratofox recovers the spacecraft

Used radio direction finding for secondary beacon (by Merlin Systems of Boise ID) attached to parachute

32. almost got there on first day had to get everyone off mountain before dark 33. rescued two spectators who were also trying to look for it and broke down 34. found it at 6100' elevation around noon on May 18 Stratofox group picture: Will Galloway AE6EY, Ian Kluft KO6YQ, Jeremy Cooper KE6JJJ, Sean Lynch KG6CVV, Randy Palmer WA6LCD, Steve Palmer KA6DHU and Rob Palmer. Not shown: Diane Palmer KC6HVP, Christian Void KF6IHU, Colleen Brennan and Jay Lawson. 35. Search for missing CSXT booster

No signals heard from the booster after descent and was presumed lost

36. In July 2004, CSXT analysis of Stratofox audio recording of the sonic boom indicated that booster's parachute was deployed on re-entry. 37. Ground searches were done in August. 38. Missing CSXT booster recovered November 2004

Nov 10 - BLM chartered helicopter doing survey of wild horses finds the booster near where we had searched

39. Nov 15 - BLM notifies CSXT and Stratofox 40. Nov 26 Stratofox 4x4 expedition in mud/snow recovers the booster hours before a snowstorm Photo by Ken Samuelson KS2R 41. Stratofox recovers CSXT booster Booster lost radio transmitters on re-entry recovered 6 months later 42. AeroPac To100K launches

3 launches in 2005-2006

43. Attempts to reach 100,000' with commercial hobby motors 44. Stratofox supported with air and ground search, radio communications and safety coordination AeroPac To100K launches at Nevada's Black Rock Desert 45. Stanford BioLaunch balloons

NASA-funded balloon experiments

46. Stratofox supported balloon flights by Stanford University 47. Stratofox supported with air & ground search, communications and safety coordination 48. Stanford was so confident in Stratofox that B07E/F and B08A/B were flown in pairs B07A Jan 2007 near Gilroy, California 49. Stanford BioLaunch balloons B07C May 2007 near Tracy, California B07F Dec 2007 near Los Banos, California B08A Mar 2008 near Merced, California 50. Soka University CanSat Search

AeroPac & Stanford launched a CanSat on a rocket for Soka University (Japan) at Black Rock in Sept 2008

51. CanSat was not recovered 52. Stratofox was called for help 53. 3x3 mile search area 54. Outlook: very unlikely! Stratofox planned a 3x3 mile visual search area across the Quinn River Sink at the Black Rock Desert 55. Soka University CanSat search

Stratofox expedition to search for missing CanSat on Nov 23, 2008

56. With some planning and lots of luck...we found it! 57. A CanSat is the size of a soda can 58. Transmitter was dead 59. Found in visual search Worse than a needle in a haystack: a CanSat in the Black Rock Desert (with dead transmitter!) 60. Soka University CanSat search 61. Soka University CanSat search 62. Soka University CanSat search CanSat handoff at AeroPac holiday party Dec 7, 2008 in Pacifica, CA 63. Other potential upcoming launch support

UP Aerospace commercial launch company formed by CSXT leaders

64. Lunar Lander Challenge ground crew for Masten Space, Paragon and SpeedUp 65. Sugar Shot 2 Space seeking first amateur launch to space using amateur propellants 66. Various amateur and entrepreneurial projects balloons and rockets as we're invited to help 67. Mars Society's TEMPO Cubed Project

Tethered Experiment for Mars interPlanetary Operations Cubed

68. CubeSats in centrifugal artificial gravity 69. Satellite launch funding delayed in 2008 70. Stratofox beginning to assist with building high-altitude balloon-drop platform so the research can continue 71. New Stratofox project as of March 2009 72. http://marssociety.org/portal/c/TEMPO3 Image credit: CL Vancil/Mars Society 73. Embry-Riddle Icarus III Rocket

Research sounding rocket intended to reach altitudes of 45-50 miles / 72-80 km

74. Planned launch at Black Rock Desert in October 2009 75. Stratofox to support clearing the downrange area and search & recovery of the rocket 76. New Stratofox project as of April 2009 Image credit: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University 77. Amateur Radio at Stratofox

The original dozen founders in 2002 were all Hams

78. The group is still mostly Hams at 55 members 79. Often members who join having other useful skills still choose to get an Amateur Radio license after seeing it in use 80. Spotty/no cell coverage areas require a Ham in every vehicle 81. All vehicles transmit APRS for a last known position 82. Rockets and balloons usually transmit APRS 83. Backup beacons may require use of radio direction finding 84. Amateur Radio at Stratofox Photo: Stratofox net control station at CSXT Space Shot on May 17, 2004 Stratofox coordinated observers via Amateur Radio to verify nobody was in the downrange area of the vast Black Rock Desert The countdown resumed at T-60 seconds after Stratofox made the call on CSXT's commercial radio: Range Safety is GO for launch! Mike Money AC7TT and Steve Palmer KA6DHU photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ 85. Amateur Radio at Stratofox Photo: monitoring the flight of Stanford BioLaunch B07A near Hollister, CA in March 2007 Bryan Klofas KF6ZEO waits ready for tracking with APRS or RDF 86. Amateur Radio at Stratofox Photo: BioLaunch B07B in May 2007 Airborne tracker Craig Anderson N6YXK with his Amateur Radio radio gear in the Cessna 182 chase plane before the flightPhoto by chase pilot James Mack KI6LQA 87. Amateur Radio at Stratofox Photo: laptop screenshot on chase plane for BioLaunch B07B in May 2007 Green line shows the chase plane enroute to the Lodi Airport after photographing the balloon launch at Mt Hamilton Red line shows the balloon climbing through 40,000' Pilot: James Mack KI6LQA Tracker: Craig Anderson N6YXK 88. Amateur Radio at Stratofox Photo: on the hunt for Stanford BioLaunch B07C near Tracy, CA in June 2007 Marcin Hirny N9ZTZ drives Andy Selle KI6JQU tracks APRS Heather Stern KG6ZYC navigates 89. Training and Recreation Photo: Sunset at Stratofox camp at Upper High Dry Lakebed in the Black Rock Desert in September 2008 90. Camping and Exploration

Stratofox tries to schedule a recreational camping and exploration trip to the Black Rock Desert each year

91. It helps train new members about the area 92. It gives us a chance to explore areas related to upcoming events without pressure 93. We always maintain contact by Amateur Radio 94. Nearest cell coverage is 80 miles south 95. Recreational trips to the Black Rock Desert

Stratofox 1 Sept 2002 founding event of Stratofox

96. Stratofox 2 Aug 2003 training for CSXT and Paragon space shots 97. Stratofox 3 Sept 2006 exploring after busy years w/ space launches 98. Stratofox 4 Aug 2007 exploration in the Black Rock Range 99. Stratofox 5 Sept 2008 exploration in the Black Rock Range 100. Other research resulting from Stratofox exploration Photo: Stratofox member Bob Verish examines rocks in the Black Rock Range 101. Suspected impact crater found

Clues in the rocks found all over the region during rocket and balloon hunting activities

102. If confirmed, 54 mile / 87 km diameter would be 2nd largest in US (after Chesapeake Bay) 103. Age unknown many millions of years by amount of erosion 104. Discover Magazine mentioned the research in Dec 2008 105. Volunteering for Stratofox Stratofox camp sites may include bicycles, 4x4s and airplanes 106. If you're interested in Stratofox

Stratofox is admittedly picky about new membership

107. We have to keep the group trustworthy because some of our partner organizations have considered each other competitors before and others probably will again 108. We have to be trusted by all parties 109. There is no room for spectators in the deep desert everyone has to carry their own weight out there 110. Potential new members need to have a useful skill 111. If you're interested in Stratofox

You may be referred as a potential new member by any team member who thinks you have what it takes

112. This puts you on invitee status 113. Invitees can earn full membership by participating in an event 114. After participating, you can be voted onto the team

How well did you do your part?

115. How well did you help the team achieve its goals? 116. How well did you get along with the team? 117. Useful skills for membership

Amateur Radio license

118. Navigation, GPS & maps 119. 4x4/off-roading 120. High-power rocketry cert 121. Private Pilot or better 122. Own an airplane 123. Astronomy

Electronics or Aerospace Engineering

124. Search & Rescue 125. Emergency medical training (WFR, EMT) 126. Logistical planning 127. Got something else you think is useful? Ask!

Any of these, the more the better

128. Out of pocket expenses

Historically, all Stratofox volunteers have handled their expenses out of pocket

129. Stratofox's parent/umbrella corporation was granted 501(c)3 status in 2007, CA tax exemption in 2008 130. Volunteer expenses are now tax-deductible

Record your mileage and keep your receipts

Donations are now tax-deductible 131. Some situations may arise where we can reimburse volunteers for expenses but don't count on that 132. For more information...

Web site: http://www.stratofox.org/

133. Talk mail list public aerospace discussion 134. Announce-only mail list if you only want announcements 135. The end Photo: Stratofox ground crew gives the shutdown signal to search plane pilot at AeroPac To100K in September 2005 Pilot: Ben Woodard KG6FNK Ground: Owen DeLong KB6MER Note: ground crew giving signals to pilots must be pilots too 136. Additional slides for Q&A (just in case) 137. Search for Columbia's Debris 6

Enough eyewitness video of Debris 6 for Stratofox member Rob Matson to narrow estimated impact area

138. 2x24 mile area in SE NV & SW UT 139. NASA canceled ground search in western states after 2 weeks 140. Apparent correlation between Matson estimate and Delamar NV eyewitness account of falling debris 141. Stratofox searches in 4/2004, 7/2005 & 9/2006 142. 2004-2005 Paragon space launch attempts

Dragoon II June 7, 2004 launch in 1 stday's window nozzle failure at liftoff, rocket impacted 3 miles away

143. Dragoon IIB Sept 27, 2005 launch in 2 ndday's window payload separation in flight, booster impacted mile away 144. 2004-2005 Paragon space launch attempts 145. 2005-2006 AeroPac To100K

Rocket club effort to build a rocket to exceed 100,000' with commercially-available solid motors

146. 3 attempts spanning 2005 and 2006 147. First stage (booster) always worked 148. Different failure every time for the 2nd stage 149. Currently in redesign 150. 2005-2006 AeroPac To100K 151. Stanford BioLaunch balloons Photo: Visual acquisition from the Tracy Airport of B07C climbing through 30,000' Shown left to right: Christina Mester AF6BW, Brad Douglas KB8UYR, Bryan Klofas KF6ZEO, Steve Rubin AE6CH, Marcin Hirny N9ZTZ 152. Stanford BioLaunch balloons

BioLaunch name comes from primary research, exposing DNA samples to solar radiation at altitude

153. Stanford Aerospace Engineering students also fly satellite electronics to test in near vacuum 154. K12 student experiments on some flights 155. BioLaunch B07A March 2007

BioLaunch B07A March 10, 2007 launched from Mt Hamilton landed in Henry Coe State Park

156. Landed on top of a tree 157. Successful same-day recovery enabled Stanford to present results to NASA promptly, which enabled further research funding 158. BioLaunch B07A March 2007

Sometimes when you find it, you aren't done yet

159. BioLaunch B07B May 2007

BioLaunch B07B May 11, 2007 launched from Mt Hamilton landed NE of Lodi next to Mokelumne River

160. Landed on top of a tree again (Stanford's mascot is a tree) 161. Stratofox chase plane crew found payloads within 10 minutes of payload touchdown 162. BioLaunch B07B May 2007 163. BioLaunch B07C June 2007

BioLaunch B07C June 9, 2007 launched from Galt (south of Sacramento) landed north of Tracy in San Joaquin Delta

164. Landed in corn field right down the furrow 165. Stratofox chase plane crew found it within 15 minutes of payload touchdown 166. BioLaunch B07C June 2007

Again, the plane found it in minutes where ground search might have taken hours

167. Ham Radio APRS telemetry received by air and ground crews 168. Plane crew talked in the ground crews to the site 169. BioLaunch B07D Aug 2007

BioLaunch B07D Aug 4, 2007 launched from Casa de Fruta (E of Gilroy)

170. Part of payload separated and landed in mountains 171. Remainder landed in San Joaquin Valley orchard 172. All day+evening search, both parts recovered 173. BioLaunch B07E/F Dec 2007

BioLaunch B07E & B07F Dec 15, 2007 launched from Casa de Fruta (E of Gilroy)

174. B07E flew to 95,000', landed SW of Los Banos 175. B07F aborted at 30,000' by Stanford landed near junction of I-5 and SR 165 176. Both recovered in time for lunch 177. Plane grounded in San Jose due to fog arrived 3 minutes after B07E recovery 178. BioLaunch B08A/B Mar 2008

BioLaunch B08A & B08B Mar 8, 2008 launched from Galt (south of Sacramento)

179. 3 Stratofox teams started at the launch site 180. 3 started at the Madera Airport (north of Fresno) 181. Both balloons landed near Merced 182. Both recovered in time for lunch (again!) 183. B08A flew to 107,000' 184. B08B flew to 68,000' (as high as planned) 185. Stratofox at the Fossett search Photo: Sept 9, 2007 crew at the Minden NV Airport Bob Verish, Brad Douglas KB8UYR, Greg Retkowski KI4NQF, Ian Kluft KO6YQ and Bernhard Hailer AE6YN with Greg's plane at the Minden NV Airport on Sept 8, 2007. (Yes it's normal for a Long-EZ to park with the nose gear stowed.) 186. Stratofox at the Fossett Search

Stratofox is not a Search & Rescue organization

187. But we have search & rescue expertise for our own crews' safety and anyone we find who needs help 188. During Fossett search, Stratofox had numerous tips which we passed to CAP 189. In 4 different cases, we were in positions to help and members stepped up to the task 190. Amateur Radio used to track safety of our members 191. Stratofox at the Fossett search September 2007

Sept 3 Fossett reported missing

192. Sept 4 CAP begins search 193. Sept 7-8 Stratofox aerial search near Eureka NV 194. Sept 8-9 Stratofox ground search Minden NV to Mono Lake CA 195. Sept 11 Stratofox aerial search near Topaz CA 196. Sept 13 ELT heard near Mammoth/Mono Lake 197. Sept 14 Stratofox ground search at Mammoth 198. Sept 7-8: Eureka NV search

Sept 5: Eureka County NV Sheriff received report that a geologist heard an aircraft in distress at noon 9/3

199. No way to know - Fossett, other aircraft, false alarm? 200. CAP too overwhelmed to help Eureka County 201. Sept 7-8: Stratofox member Greg Retkowski KI4NQF flew to Eureka to help with grid search 202. No planes in grid area - determined to be false alarm 203. Thunderstorm turbulence at time of report probably refracted sounds of US 50 traffic back to ground 204. Sept 8-9: Minden to Mono Lake

CAP accepted when we offered to help search

205. Stratofox ground crew arrived in Minden Sept 7 206. Pilot Greg KI4NQF arrived from Eureka Sept 8 207. CAP withdrew offer for concern of collision risk 208. Asked us to search on ground only we complied 209. Stratofox members heard from friend of Fossett that he was headed south along 395 210. binocular searches from Minden to Mono Lake 211. Sept 7-9 search participants

David Brock N6DCB point of contact

212. Brad Douglas KB8UYR 213. Bernhard Hailer AE6YN (*) 214. Ian Kluft KO6YQ 215. Greg Retkowski KI4NQF pilot/plane owner 216. Bob Verish (*) (*) indicates participation in this event qualified for Stratofox membership 217. Sept 10, 2007: plane in sat photo Before After That's an airplane and the right size found by Internet volunteer Drew Smith 218. Sept 11, 2007: aerial search GPS: 9/8 ground and 9/11 aerial Definitely no airplane there We determined the plane in the sat photo was in flight at the time 219. Sept 11, 2007 participants

Brad Douglas KB8UYR point of contact

220. Ian Kluft KO6YQ - binoculars/photographer 221. Ben Woodard KG6FNK pilot/plane owner 222. Sept 13: ELT heard near Mono Lake

Stratofox member Steve Rubin AE6CH, not involved in but aware of the search, heard an Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT)

223. He was flying a Cessna 210 from Santa Monica to Reno west of the crest of the Sierras 224. ELT reported 25 mi west to south of Mono Lake 225. He reported it to Air Traffic Control and to the Stratofox team 226. Stratofox forwarded report to Fossett family & CAP 227. Sept 14: ground search from Mono Lake to Mammoth Lakes

Based on previous evening's ELT report

228. Ground search by Ian Kluft KO6YQ monitored for ELT from Mono Lake to Mammoth Lakes 229. Deep-freeze nights left no hope of finding survivor 230. Now after the wreckage was found we know...

ELT was destroyed in crash, not transmitting

231. Ridge would have blocked ELT signal if operating 232. At nearest this was 8 miles from crash site 233. Stratofox at the Fossett search

Needle in a haystack search

234. Odd circumstances with CAP overwhelmed by reports 235. When Stratofox had info, we always forwarded it 236. Normally we're not a search & rescue organization 237. The thought at the time was that Fossett might be waiting for a rescue 238. Now we know it was too late before searches started 239. Team members still feel proud of our efforts