High Altitude Visual Orientation Control (HAVOC)

Overview

HAVOC is a system of orientation control for weather balloon payloads intended for recording high altitude video. Balloon payloads are valuable research tools but are inherently unstable during flight. Recording video of the upper atmosphere is difficult due to the uncontrolled nature of payload rotation. HAVOC solves this issue by using high-pressure air (HPA) thrusters to control payload orientation and a small form factor camera to record video during flight.

Onboard microcontrollers will control the output of compressed air to two sets of 3D-printed nozzles. This will allow the payload to automatically control its rotation during a weather balloon flight.

This system is planned to be used for capturing images of the 2024 North American Solar Eclipse.

Updates:

Summer 2020: Design work has been completed. Parts have been procured for the first prototype payload. Construction will hopefully commence in the Fall.

VIDEO.mp4

Demo Flight Video

This video was taken from a concept payload flown in the Fall of 2019. This payload was equipped with a basic stabilization system using Co2 cold-gas thrusters. The graph on the right shows rotational velocity of the payload vs. Time. This demo flight was the first step towards creating HAVOC.

3D Printed Nozzles

These color coded nozzles will output compressed air to control the HAVOC payload's rotation. They are attached to a lightweight carbon fiber arm that increase their torque.

Pneumatics Sys. Overview

This diagram shows the components of the HAVOC payload's pneumatic system. This system stores and controls the output of compressed air which drives the payload's stabilization.