Far Horizons Project

h1. Far Horizons Project Initial Questions v1.0

Below is a list of questions and proposed answers to help define the requirements for this project retroactively. You can view the meeting minutes [[Meeting_1_-_Initial_Questions|here]]

*Q1. Why are we making this?*

*A1*. _Adler's original motivation for developing the *Far Horizons Project* High Altitude Balloon (HAB) program was to act as a gateway to developing "CubeSats":http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CubeSat.  Adler's design is highly influenced by assistance from L. Paul Verhage and his "book":http://www.parallax.com/tabid/567/Default.aspx.  The *Far Horizons Project* has the added benefit of providing educational opportunities to practice near space missions with students and enthusiasts which fits in with Adler's goals of "democratizing space exploration":http://farhorizonsproject.com/blog/about/._

*Q2. Who is this for?*

*A2*. _The *Far Horizons Project* is for anyone who wants to build experience in the are of near space missions.  This includes schools and school clubs, scouting troupes, Makers and Maker Spaces.  Adler's goal is to help groups get the experience to fly their own missions._

*Q3. How will this be used?*

*A3*. _The HAB provides a platform to carry scientific and engineering payloads (no more than 12 lbs of total vehicle weight with individual payloads of 6 lbs or less) to a near space environment (exposing the vehicles and payloads to very low pressures and temperatures, and radiation levels significantly higher than those experienced on the ground) for a duration on the order of a couple of hours._

*Q4. What features does it need to have (now)?*

*A4*. _The test stand needs to:

* Operate safely throughout its flight (in accordance with "FAR 101":http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.15&idno=14#14:2.0.1.3.15.4)

* Operations should be flexible to deal with changing conditions on the ground (including adjusting for weight restrictions, winds, or other unexpected launch conditions)

* The HAB needs to be trackable to facilitate recovery operations

* The HAB needs to provide a soft landing

* The HAB needs to support carrying experiment payloads (each payload container limited to 6 lbs)

* The HAB total system weight must be under 12 lbs

* The HAB should carry the payload to between 90 kft and 100 kft_

*Q5. What features does it need to have (later)?*

*A5.* _Desired enhancements include:

* Controlled descent system (guided landings using parafoil kite to either hit or avoid landing sites)

* Live two-way telemetry (or command & control) and the ability to receive live experiment and operations data

* Stabilized platform system (Adler is making progress on this one)

* Alternative balloon configurations (zero-pressure, super-pressure balloons)

* Alternate lift gasses (Adler uses helium right now)

* A structure to hold the balloon during filling operations and to automatically stop the filling operation for the desired lift_

*Q6. What are the legacy requirements?*

*A6*. _The HAB must comply with FAA regulations ("FAR 101":http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.3.15&idno=14#14:2.0.1.3.15.4)_

*Q7. Who's going to build this?*

*A7*. _Small teams (2-3 members minimum) of volunteers and space enthusiasts.  The designs are openly licensed so anyone can put together a team to build and operate a *Far Horizons Project* HAB.  Note, while the technical requirements to build the HAB are small, an amateur radio license is required to run the tracking radios during missions._

*Q8. How many do we want to make?*

*A8*. _One per launch (during design phase look into what components can be reused)._

*Q9. What is the budget?*

*A9.* _TBD_

*Q10. What is the timeline?*

*A10*. _N/A_

*Q11. What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?*

*A11.* _TBD_