Introduction

Fall Presentation

Scientific balloons require data collection equipment, as well as low masses. Often, payloads need to be able to survive high altitude falls. This project solves the problem of payloads surviving low temperatures, and high falls, while also being low weight.

This project was motivated by the need for photographing from high altitude around the time of an eclipse. Ballooning is an interesting topic, which is not always recognized, but still has a noteworthy following, and events that are carried out.

Video 1.0

Winter Presentation

Video 2.0

For this project, components have been 3d printed, using PLA. At most, these prints would take upwards to 5 hours, but were often made together to reduce setup time.

Also some parts were two dimentially cut, using methods such as laser cutting and water cutting (For the steel). This was done as these parts required materials that meet criteria outside the realms to abs and pla. Furthuremore, as they are extruded 2d shapes, they did not require 3d printing to be created.

Results

Table 1.0

Graph 1.0

Shown are the results of two test performed for this device. First was the test which ensued that the device could last the required 6 hours in flight, limited by battery energy and storage space. These test were performed at the same time and both met the requirement. Graph depicts both of these test and a horizontal line which shows the requirement.

The second test was the thermal expansion test, which ensured that certain components connected at multiple points (Such as the electronics or the baseplate) wouldn't undergo too much stress as a result of the temperature change between the ground and 100,000 ft altitude. This test was performed on many parts and it was determined that the pla parts would not have any noticeable change while the two acrylic parts would have minor, but still allowable shifts.

Main design

Figure 1.1 Main Design

Here is the main design moving forward. This contains a baseplate, and the camera mounted on the bottom, with electronics mounted on the top.