NSL-11

NSL-11A    NC Maker Faire

This was an attempt at a launch from the 2013 NC Maker Faire.  Unfortunately, the balloon slipped off the filler and floated away without the payload.

NSL-11B

Around that time, Lucas W. and Paul L. were launching their second flight out of Lake Benson Park in Garner. The purpose of their flight was to test out a new video camera and APRS tracking unit.  It was a beautiful flight!    Thanks to APRS,  they knew within seconds of bursting and came close to catching it upon return.  It was the first time that they got to watch a package return under chute.  They were standing at the edge of a cow pasture being moo'd at when it drifted by into the nearby woods, very cool.  The additional of a 40’ bridle was great for retrieval – the package was just 10’ off the ground although the chute was in the top of a tree.  Paul brought his youngest 2 kids along on the recovery and that helped with gaining access for recovery (although poor Sarah got stung by a bee).

Manifest:
1200g no-name cell,  110 ft3  He,  total payload weight 1090g included:

• BigRedBee 2m APRS beacon w/ high altitude GPS

• Tachyon Ops HD video camera   -- This worked GREAT!!

• 2 x deactivated Android cell phones acting as side and bottom cameras with EXIF GPS data, temperature logging, locating sounder (alarm clock), etc

• Spot tracker

•  Homemade 36” chute, radar reflector etc.

Flight stats:  0952-1222EDT, 65.5mi track with lots of loops, Max height  97533ft

• They learned that the turn algorithm of their “smart beaconing” APRS device is activated when swinging on the end of a 50’ kite string.  This caused excessive transmissions (every 5 seconds!) during a bumpy part of ascent -- Sorry to the APRS crowd for spamming the net during the flight. 

• The androids were not charged as much as they should have – they lost data towards the end.  Temperatures were stable this time due to their new insulation wraps so they did not lose them to the cold-induced low voltage like they did on their previous night flight.