HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON (HAB) SENIOR DESIGN PROJECT

HIGH ALTITUDE BALLOON (HAB)SENIOR DESIGN PROJECTOdera Eziolisa Dale HardacreKaneisha Wilson

Advisors: Joseph C. Slater, PhD, PEJ. Mitch Wolff, PhD Bruce RahnGraduate Student Mentors:Emily Henry Nicholas Baine

OutlineProject ImportanceProject ScopeDesign and Experimental ProcessExpected ResultsWhat issues/Problems we are facingBudget

Project ImportanceDuring 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.

Scope of ProjectFor 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.

This Years ObjectiveMaintain communication with the balloon for 24 hours within the designated communication areaThis Years ObjectiveMaintain communication with the balloon for 24 hours within the designated communication areaDeploy a repeater into near spaceStabilize altitude Change altitudes if needed BackgroundWhat is a High Altitude Balloon?60k-120k FeetTypically filled with helium or hydrogen

Payload BoxReducing RingParachuteBalloonHigh-altitude balloons are unmanned balloons, usually filled with helium or hydrogen, that are released into the stratosphere, generally reaching between 60,000 to 120,000 feet (18 to 37 km) in what is called Near Space. High Altitude Balloons can carry small test packages and conduct experiments at very high altitudes.

Initial ConceptsConceptProsConsControlling the Initial amount of Helium addedCan be calculated to not reach burst altitudeWill ascend slowlyWill decrease over timeCannot change altitudes on controlContinuously Venting HeliumWill Stabilize at an initial altitudeWill decrease over timeCannot change altitudes on controlLife duration limited by the amount of heliumVenting Helium & Dropping BallastHas been doneWorks well for stabilizing altitudeHas altitude changing capability

Helium ventingAdded ballast weight Life duration restricted by the amount of ballast and heliumMultiple Helium Balloons & Dropping BallastSolution for venting the helium balloonsHas altitude changing capability

More Material CostsAdded ballast weight Life duration limited by the amount of ballast and helium

Basic SchematicAltitude Controlled through a Solar Balloon based on the concept of NASAs Long-Life Stratospheric Balloon System

TimelineSept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.Background ResearchTechnical TrainingDesign Training LaunchBuild System/Ground TestingFirst LaunchRe-Design Final LaunchFinal AnalysisExpected ResultsBased 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.Maximum Allowable SpeedFavorable wind speeds can be observed during the months of February and March between 60,000 and 100,000 feet.

Drift RangeThe diameter of the disaster area is =300 milesThe 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

Drift Range

Repeater coverage versus disaster area with balloon at 100K feet. Maximum Allowable SpeedThese calculations assume the balloon travels at a constant speed in one direction.

Sample Wind Data February 2012

Wind Data February 2012Altitudes 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.

Other ChallengesEquipment must operate at extreme temperatures in vacuum.Long duration testing is required due to length of flightCreate a mechanism to allow for emergency drop procedures if communication with balloon is lost.Timed-drop mechanism that can be reset with handheld device

Other ChallengesDesign 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.the wall of the payload will have to be made of material with high thermal resistivity or have a heating system

Budget

TimelineSept.Oct.Nov.Dec.Jan.Feb.Mar.Apr.Background ResearchTechnical TrainingDesign Training LaunchBuild System/Ground TestingFirst LaunchRe-Design Final LaunchFinal Analysis?s