Article

LPSU07 OMSI
August 17, 2006
Hancock Field Center, Clarno Unit, John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon

It happened again. This time we launched a balloon in collaboration with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) for their summer camp at the Hancock Field center out near the fossil beds in the John Day area. What a kick. Fourteen campers and OMSI personnel and three PSU folks. The campers (high schoolers) built three small payloads that together with the PSU cameras took images of the trip:

•    59 8MPx images of the ascent and descent at 2 minute intervals
•    99 5MPx images at the top
•    8100 320px by 240px low resolution images of ascent (1.5Hz for 90 minutes)
•    36 power wind film camera photos of ascent and descent 

Some of these images are stunning and worth starring at. See for yourself.

Altitude pressure, temperature and GPS coordinates for both the balloon and the chase vehicle were recorded as usual and are plotted on a topographical map of the area (blue-balloon, red-car/hikers). The prediction using the Salem weather data was not bad at all—see for yourself—the distance to landing even agrees, but >5 miles east of the real landing sight. We flew a back-up dog tracking device in case of GPS-radio malfunction. Both worked fine.

Some cool highlights…

•    We drove around in canyons and worried about losing line-of-sight during descent so we parked at a high point near Corral Mountain (Butte Creek Pass) and kept the balloon in eye view near the anticipated rupture point, which was higher than we anticipated. As a result, almost everyone saw the balloon burst at >114,000ft with eyes, binoculars, or sighting scopes! In fact, even the OMSI folks back at camp Hancock were able to view the ascent and rupture with their high power telescopes. The descriptions of this event are too cool and we will try to get high resolution video through the OMSI telescopes should we try this collaboration again! And we should. 

•    We tested Donovan Finnestad’s new fill/tare weight apparatus for the latex balloons. It works perfectly. A movie is included. Now we just set the desired lift mass, quick-connect the helium hose to the balloon test stand, and fill the balloon until the flow is automatically shut off by some lifting mass balance-activated valve. Breezy.

•    Beautiful drives (~ 80miles) and hikes (3.4miles round trip). This place is gorgeous and a great place for adventure launches.

Some Launch Data:

Launch site elevation: ~ 1,500ft above sea level
GPS max elevation: 114,859ft
Flight time: 2hr, 28min
Rise time: Approximately 1hr, 58min
Distance launch-to-landing: 7.5miles (our shortest to date)
Payload weight; 2.6kg (5.725lbm)
Free lift: 15.6N (3.5lb)
Ave. Rise rate to rupture: 960ft/min