A Proposed High Altitude Balloon Program

PROGRAM NAME

AHAB - ASRI High AltitudeBalloon Program

MOTTO

"To the Edge of Space"

VISION

To promote the development of engineering and operational expertise in space technology.

STRATEGY

Develop a series of buses that will allow the testing of scientific payloads and satellite sub-systems. Develop a launch, tracking, control and retrieval capability for a wide range of high altitude balloons. Include radio transceivers and computers that can be used to record and broadcast real-time telemetry data. Provide analysis of the data returned from the flight package.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Develop a series of operational procedures that cover the technical, legal and safety requirements for a balloon flight from beginning to end.
2. Develop the basic equipment needed to safely fill and launch a balloon from a remote site.
3. Develop different buses that can handle a wide range of payloads. At least one bus shall be capable of carrying one or more frames of an AMSAT-style micro-satellite.
4. Develop a communication system that provides two-way communication with the payload during and after the flight.
5. Develop a telemetry system that can store the telemetry data for a complete flight, as well as broadcast it in real time.
6. Develop operational expertise in planning a balloon flight, tracking the flight, controlling the payload and recovering it after the flight.
7. Conduct regular flights to carry out experiments and test components.

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM CONCEPT

The document outlines the preliminary concept for a high altitude balloon program.

RELEVANT CASA CIVIL AVIATION ORDERS

Tethered Balloons

Unmanned Free Balloons

PROPOSED BALLOON LAUNCH SITES

In South Australia, Woomera is a likely place for a high altitude balloon launch. Balloon launches can be conducted in conjunction with the Small Sounder Rocket Program (SSRP). It also has a local Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) office that conducts regular balloon flights. These flight will provide the information necessary to estimate the flight of the balloon with a good measure of confidence. The disadvantage of Woomera is that it is located away from the Adelaide metropolitan area and this limits the access by many people.

A site is available less than two (2) hours drive from Adelaide that would be suitable for small balloon flights and tethered balloon flights. This document provides more information about the prospective site.

BASIC HELIUM BALLOON LAUNCH EQUIPMENT

To successfully launch a helium balloon from a remote site, that is, one not using the Bureau Of Meteorology (BOM) facilities, some basic equipment is required. This table lists the major equipment that is required to ensure that the balloon can be inflated and launched.

PAYLOAD SEPARATION DEVICES

Preliminary tests have been carried out to confirm that the it is relatively simple to sever the payload suspension cable using a "thermal cutter".