Launch Preparations

June 27th, 2025 - Bill Brown (WB8ELK) from the University of Alabama Huntsville supplied the team with a Jetpack Traquito and assisted the team in programming the Traquito to transmit Alissa Sperling's callsign, KC3ZEP. Transmission was then tested successfully. Bill Brown additionally advised on supplies to order for the launch.

June 30th, 2025 -  Supplies arrived, and two silver PartyWoo 50-inch balloons were pre-inflated using a small air compressor. Solar panel arrays were soldered together and mounted on foam panels. Solar panel arrays were tested for voltage output in the sun. The Traquito was also tested for function, and after some struggles with the indicator LED turning on, it was found that it functioned best around 3.3 V (despite an advertised 3.0V-5.5V range). 

July 1, 2025  - An array of six solar cells was decided on to create the roughly 3.3V output (which is slightly higher than the advertised 0.5V that each cell should generate). The balloon was also deflated by using the air compressor in reverse. Multiple methods were tested for modifying the current hydrogen filling regulator and hose system to step down the output hose diameter to an appropriate diameter for the balloon neck. An unsuccessful, and likely dangerous, modification using a commercial latex party balloon was attempted and promptly abandoned. Rob Ervin suggested a set-up using a PVC cap, pneumatic hose, and a pneumatic hose fitting that, after a trip to the hardware store to get supplies, ended up working very well. One balloon was refilled with hydrogen. Measuring neck-lift was accomplished using a digital scale and a 50g mass attached with fishing wire to the balloon. After realizing that the balloon was slowly leaking out of the neck, the balloon neck was modified to go on the bottom of the balloon instead of the top, and a fishing wire tie was added around the neck, which successfully prevented leaking. An 8'7" antenna coming out of each end was soldered to the Traquito and wrapped around toilet paper tubes for storage. Kapton tape was used to secure both ends of the antenna to 17lb fishing line for stability - for the top antenna, the fishing line attached to the balloon.

July 2, 2025 - The solar panels were tested for voltage, and the Traquito was checked for proper indicator lights. All systems appeared functional, and free lift was measuring approximately 6g, which was the target free lift. The balloon was released at 3pm at the SCH Academy football field and was never heard from again.