Beta

Zephyrus Beta

Zephyrus Beta was launched on June 20th, 2024. The purpose of this launch was to test launch procedures and teach a new crew how to launch and retrieve a payload stack.

Beta Launch Information

Preparations

The image above is a drawn version of the payload for Zephyrus Beta. It consisted of a parachute, spot trace, microtrak 1000 (APRS), radiosonde, and an insta360 camera with a total payload mass of 945 grams.

Path predictions as well as burst calculations were conducted in advanced in order to prepare for the Zephyrus Beta's retrieval and to give a rough estimate of the neck lift, which was adjusted later.

Launch Footage and Information

Zephyrus Beta was launched at approximately 8:26 EST (12:26 UTC) and took close to 20 minutes to fill up the balloon. It had a final measured neck lift of 1608 grams, but a 1660 gram actual neck lift.

Balloon Launch.MOV

Zephyrus Beta Launch (Ground POV)

DJI_0334.MP4

Zephyrus Beta Launch (Drone/Sky POV)

Flight Information and Footage

The estimated total flight duration of Zephyrus Beta was 3 hours and 20 min with an estimated maximum altitude of 104,137 feet (31,740.96 meters). It landed at approximately 11:46 EST (3:46 UTC).

Graph of the altitude (km) vs the ascent velocity (m/s) of Zephyrus Beta from the data collected from the radiosonde

Graph of the altitude (km) vs the descent velocity (m/s) of Zephyrus Beta from the data collected from the radiosonde

VID_20240620_091706_00_003.insv