Design and Launch of a Balloon Re-entry Vehicle for Free Fall Experimentation

Eddie McGovern, Adam Blake, Ryan Vogel, Alleyce Watts, and Jade O’Mara

Outline

Introduction of 2011 TeamHistory and working designs of High

Altitude BalloonDesign ParametersObjectiveTimelineThus FarQuestions?

Introduction of Team

Team Leader: Eddie McGovern

Group Members: Jade O’Mara

Alleyce Watts

Ryan Vogel

Adam Blake

Group Advisor: Dr. Slater

History

Funded by the National Science Foundation, the Wright State University High Altitude Balloon team (WSU HAB) has had 17 successful launches and recoveries. Throughout these tests, WSU has achieved in launching devices to heights of nearly 100,000 feet (40,000 ft above regulated airspace) while conducting experiments containing temperature sensors, cameras, video transmitters/recorders, actuation devices, etc.

Working Designs

Initial design with two box configuration

Tear drop and box configuration

Design Parameters

Design parameters include but are not limited to:

• A maximum weight per unit of six pounds

• An altitude parachute deployment of 65,000 feet

• Design of parachute to withstand a drag of 125 mph

• GPS, Beacon, and APRS needed to relocate upon re-entry

• Accelerometer used to record data on free-fall characteristics

Objective

Image: Andrews Space, INC

This quarter the HAB team will create a scaled atmospheric re-entry ballute.

A ballute is an inflatable balloon parachute, typically made from a thin, flexible material.

This vehicle will be used to test and demonstrate the aerodynamic stability of various ballute shaped designs for the ILC Dover for a Mars atmospheric decelerator .

Objectives continued

A transmit/receive tower on top of the Russ Engineering Center will be used for digital control and communication with the balloon’s payload for an approximate 300 miles radius around campus.

Timeline

Thus Far

Chosen Design:

• Balsa Wood frame with foam nose

• Whole frame intended to be covered with iron on plastic

• Inflatable thin film or solid foam ring to be placed on top to simulate ballute shape.

Questions?