Status Update
We have been very busy with non Project Redirect work the during the last two weeks and have been unable to spend any time on the project. We hope to have more time in the coming weeks.
We have been very busy with non Project Redirect work the during the last two weeks and have been unable to spend any time on the project. We hope to have more time in the coming weeks.
Originally the plan was to fly the FTS (Flight Test System) for the first time on Saturday the 25th. To achieve this goal, we first had to complete a few parts of the FTS. We began by finishing the S1000+; starting with wiring and securing the various components of the flight controller. We also needed…
After our most recent FTS (Flight Test System) test flight it became apparent that a new method of attaching payloads to the FTS was needed. Originally, payloads were attached to the FTS via the drop system which was mounted below the FTS, but with the removal of the drop system from the FTS we were…
The original design of the parachute system used ballistic deployment. This meant the system would use springs, CO2, or pyrotechnics to force the chute from the tube it was stored in. The main advantage of a ballistic parachute system is that the significant speed of the parachute after launch, decreases deployment time of the parachute….
Our original plan was to perform our first drop test of the parachute system on the 20th of December. The three failures of the parachute system print jobs (more about this here) used up much of our time, but we still had one more week before this deadline. To achieve this goal, we had many…
This week, we have been working on the test payload. So far, we have finalized the design for the main body, copied it to foam board and cut it out. The interior of the first generation test payload was not very flexible or accessible. Seeking to fix both problems, we decided to implement a test…
High Altitude Balloons (HABs) are manned or unmanned balloons that are used to carry payloads into the stratosphere. HABs are capable of reaching altitudes of 18-53 km (11-32 mi) above sea level. HABs are filled with lighter than air gas. It is this gas, that gives them their lift. Once filled, the HAB is released,…