Notice to Airmen

We have had a NOTAM created, so we have completed all steps to ensure we comply with the launch.

For those interested, the NOTAM is:-

GG YSCBNOFE
300144 YBBBZEZX
C1584/14 NOTAMN
Q) YBBB/QWLLW/IV/M/W/000/999/
A) YBBB
B) 1410312000 C) 1411070700
E) UNMANNED BALLOON LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE BRG 151 MAG 16NM FM CHILLAGOE (YCGO) AD PSN S17 22.8 E144 39.8
F) SFC G) UNL

Flight Exemption received

We have received the exemption required for the flight. We have been going over the conditions attached to this exemption to ensure that we meet them.

Two conditions are:-

1. We must have a NOATM published. CASA are able to publish the NOATM, so that is terrific.

2. We need to ensure that the balloon does not land within 20km of a populous area. The only “populous” area that the balloon is getting close to is Dimbulah. So we are putting measures in place to ensure we comply with this condition.

Countdown – 5 Days to go

Five days till the launch.

We have :-

Collected the two Helium Gas Cylinders, and
We have the majority of the launch components packed away boxes, all clearly labelled, etc.
We are still putting the finishing touches on the documentation.
Started investigating the strategy for the day. The current flight predictions show a distance of 30.5km from the launch site…which isn’t too far.

We are still waiting for the Exemption from CASA, though it is apparently in the process of being done up. Just a matter of getting it completed and sent through.

We are very content with how we are proceeding from a Technical and organisational point of view. All that is left is to check the predicted path and to receive the exemption from CASA.

Last 2 weeks until launch

Continual Improvement

Even as we draw closer to the launch date, we are continually making refinements to the launch procedures and devices to mitigate possible risks. Some of the risks have been identified and listed below:-

One risk is that our balloon pops and that we are then left with no chance of performing our mission.
Another risk is that the inflation tube bursts
Another is that the file downloads causes problems (incomplete) and causes temporary loss of communication.

We have addressed (1) by contacting BOC and asking if we can take a spare cylinder. We can, and we are able to return it for a Credit if not used. (Thanks Cairns BOC! Really appreciate this).

We have addressed (2) by purchasing spare tubing and superglue so we can manufacture another one.

We have addressed (3) by providing another button on the web interface which the operator can use to disable picture downloads.

The Day of the Flight

We are putting a bit more thought into how the day will progress. The exact details of how the launch will be conducted are still something that will evolve over time and become clearer once we have a predicted flight plan. Like any problem, we are going to split the flight into several stages. Most likely something like this:-

FROM (Min)	TO (Min)	Notes
0	15	Observing – seeing how close to predicted path and speed, etc. Will then confirm path.
15	35	Driving approx 30km (or distance determined)
35	55	Observing – get gps co-ordinates + photo (if can) + health status
55	75	Driving approx 20km
75	85	Observing…till balloon pops (Should be approx 83rd minute) – Will first disable photos.
85	100	Driving approx 15km
100	111	Observing decent till out of range. (flight length approx 1hr 51mins).

Software

We have released software used to manage the flight. It is downloadable from GITHUB:-

Software for the groundstation (runs on Beaglebone Black running Debian)

https://github.com/joeman155/JJTEAM_GS.git

Software for Arduino

https://github.com/joeman155/JJTEAM_HAB.git

X-modem library required by JJTEAM_HAB

https://github.com/joeman155/JJTEAM_XMODEM.git