HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON (HAB) SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT Odera
Eziolisa Dale Hardacre Kaneisha Wilson Advisors: Joseph C. Slater,
PhD, PE J. Mitch Wolff, PhD Bruce Rahn Graduate Student Mentors:
Emily Henry Nicholas Baine Odera Eziolisa Dale Hardacre Kaneisha
Wilson Advisors: Joseph C. Slater, PhD, PE J. Mitch Wolff, PhD
Bruce Rahn Graduate Student Mentors: Emily Henry Nicholas
Baine
Slide 2
Outline Project Importance Project Scope Design and
Experimental Process Expected Results What issues/Problems we are
facing Budget Project Importance Project Scope Design and
Experimental Process Expected Results What issues/Problems we are
facing Budget
Slide 3
Project Importance During natural disasters, amateur radio is
often the first form of communication. Practical use of handheld
radio equipment in VHF and above frequencies is limited to line of
sight propagation. The use of a repeater can greatly increase the
communications range of an amateur radio operator.
Slide 4
Scope of Project For the scope of this project, the team will
focus on New Orleans, LA after Hurricane Katrina. The diameter of
the designated communication area was found to be 300 miles. For
the scope of this project, the team will focus on New Orleans, LA
after Hurricane Katrina. The diameter of the designated
communication area was found to be 300 miles.
Slide 5
This Years Objective Maintain communication with the balloon
for 24 hours within the designated communication area
Slide 6
This Years Objective Maintain communication with the balloon
for 24 hours within the designated communication area Deploy a
repeater into near space Stabilize altitude Change altitudes if
needed Maintain communication with the balloon for 24 hours within
the designated communication area Deploy a repeater into near space
Stabilize altitude Change altitudes if needed
Slide 7
BackgroundBackground What is a High Altitude Balloon? 60k-120k
Feet Typically filled with helium or hydrogen What is a High
Altitude Balloon? 60k-120k Feet Typically filled with helium or
hydrogen Payload Box Reducing Ring Parachute Balloon
Slide 8
Initial Concepts ConceptProsCons Controlling the Initial amount
of Helium added Can be calculated to not reach burst altitude Will
ascend slowly Will decrease over time Cannot change altitudes on
control Continuously Venting Helium Will Stabilize at an initial
altitude Will decrease over time Cannot change altitudes on control
Life duration limited by the amount of helium Venting Helium &
Dropping Ballast Has been done Works well for stabilizing altitude
Has altitude changing capability Helium venting Added ballast
weight Life duration restricted by the amount of ballast and helium
Multiple Helium Balloons & Dropping Ballast Solution for
venting the helium balloons Has altitude changing capability More
Material Costs Added ballast weight Life duration limited by the
amount of ballast and helium
Slide 9
Basic Schematic Altitude Controlled through a Solar Balloon
based on the concept of NASAs Long-Life Stratospheric Balloon
System
Slide 10
TimelineTimeline Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr. Background
Research Technical Training Design Training Launch Build
System/Ground Testing First Launch Re-Design Final Launch Final
Analysis
Slide 11
Expected Results Based upon collected wind data, the balloon
can stay within the necessary communications range without use of a
propulsion system. Using different altitudes the balloon will be
able to find changing wind speeds and directions to control the
balloon. Practical winds speeds are available above 60,000 feet.
Based upon collected wind data, the balloon can stay within the
necessary communications range without use of a propulsion system.
Using different altitudes the balloon will be able to find changing
wind speeds and directions to control the balloon. Practical winds
speeds are available above 60,000 feet.
Slide 12
Maximum Allowable Speed Favorable wind speeds can be observed
during the months of February and March between 60,000 and 100,000
feet.
Slide 13
Drift Range The diameter of the disaster area is =300 miles The
radius is determined by the altitude, =(2 ,) where is the altitude
in feet. The drift is the allowable movement, in a straight line,
of the communications circle while keeping the disaster circle
within its limits =2300 The diameter of the disaster area is =300
miles The radius is determined by the altitude, =(2 ,) where is the
altitude in feet. The drift is the allowable movement, in a
straight line, of the communications circle while keeping the
disaster circle within its limits =2300
Slide 14
Drift Range Repeater coverage versus disaster area with balloon
at 100K feet.
Slide 15
Maximum Allowable Speed These calculations assume the balloon
travels at a constant speed in one direction.
Slide 16
Sample Wind Data February 2012
Slide 17
Wind Data February 2012 Wind Data February 2012 Altitudes
between 70,000 and 90,000 feet have a significantly greater chance
of success. Only 4 out of 29 days (14%) had average wind speeds
above the allowable maximum in all altitude ranges. Altitudes
between 70,000 and 90,000 feet have a significantly greater chance
of success. Only 4 out of 29 days (14%) had average wind speeds
above the allowable maximum in all altitude ranges.
Slide 18
Other Challenges Equipment must operate at extreme temperatures
in vacuum. Long duration testing is required due to length of
flight Create a mechanism to allow for emergency drop procedures if
communication with balloon is lost. Timed-drop mechanism that can
be reset with handheld device Equipment must operate at extreme
temperatures in vacuum. Long duration testing is required due to
length of flight Create a mechanism to allow for emergency drop
procedures if communication with balloon is lost. Timed-drop
mechanism that can be reset with handheld device
Slide 19
Other Challenges Design package to keep all of the component
temperature within their designed operating range. To do this
analysis we will have to know constants such like the heat transfer
coefficient and the thermal conductivity of the material that makes
up the wall of the control module. Design package to keep all of
the component temperature within their designed operating range. To
do this analysis we will have to know constants such like the heat
transfer coefficient and the thermal conductivity of the material
that makes up the wall of the control module.
Slide 20
BudgetBudget
Slide 21
TimelineTimeline Sept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr. Background
Research Technical Training Design Training Launch Build
System/Ground Testing First Launch Re-Design Final Launch Final
Analysis