The approximate total cost for the flight vehicle, launch preparation equipment, chase and recovery equipment, and balloon fill nozzle is $865.97. That does not include the cost of the helium, which varies greatly in cost and availability from region to region. That does also not include the cost of the APRS capable radio equipment used in the balloon chase and recovery process, or things like vehicle fuel. The individual payload costs are also not included because they will vary greatly depending on the focus of the flight.
All consumable/expendable materials (broken balloon envelopes, batteries, etc) must be disposed of according to all federal, state, and local guidelines.
The Far Horizons Flight Log sheet is used during the assembly, launch and chase portions of the flight. All sections need to be filled out properly to ensure good post-flight analysis. A copy of the log sheet has been labeled with numbers below, and that is followed by an explanation of each section. To record your own data download a PDF version or an editable ODS spreadsheet version of this flight log.
0: The "FLIGHT NUMBER" in this section is used as an ID for the flight. This can be based on the number of each launch that you ever do, starting from 1 for the first. That number can then be associated with not only the log sheet, but all video and data files as well.
1: "MISSION OBJECTIVES" are goals for the mission. Examples would be "Highest altitude ever achieved" and "Provide platform for student data logging payload". The idea is that you are making the investment to fly a HAB mission, so what is it for?
2: The "PARTICIPANTS" section holds the names of everyone who takes part in the flight from HAB assembly through recovery. Additionally, it is helpful to list what task each person performed. Personal and emergency contact information should be collected for each participant prior to a mission, but should not be included in this section.
3:"LAUNCH CONDITIONS" refer to the ground level weather conditions at the launch site. If there is not an Internet connection at the launch site and there is no way to measure the conditions directly, someone will need to look them up prior to travelling to the site.
4: "PAYLOAD WEIGHTS" - In the United States, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) requires that the total weight of a HAB system at launch be no more than 12 pounds total. In addition to that, no single component of the HAB platform may exceed 6 pounds. This portion of the sheet helps ensure that the the FAA requirements are met and provides information that is used to calculate total lift later.
5: "BALLOON STATS" refer to the balloon itself, and not the rest of the HAB system. The "Balloon Size" is the weight of the balloon in grams. There are 3 lines for "PSI Dispensed X" because a typical sized balloon for a HAB launch will require multiple tanks of lift gas (typically Helium where available). The number of tanks will vary depending things like balloon weight, target ascent rate, maximum altitude, etc. The "Measured Lift" is found by measuring the upward pull of the balloon using a hanging scale. The "Fill Tube Weight" is added to this value to compensate for the fact that the balloon will still have the fill tube attached when the measurement is taken, and so is already lifting the tube's weight. When added, these two items give you "NOZZLE LIFT".
6: The "LIFT/ASCENT CALCULATION" section allows you to find the difference between the "NOZZLE LIFT" (section 5) and the "PAYLOAD TOTAL" weight. Subtracting these two values will give you the amount of net "TOTAL LIFT" that the balloon is providing. This amount of lift has an affect on ascent rate and maximum altitude.
7: "MISSION TIMES/STATS" - The "Depart Adler" field is to record the time that the HAB team leaves for the launch site, and "Site Arrival" is when the team arrives. The "Launch" time is recorded, and the altitude of 625 should be replaced by the altitude above mean sea level (MSL) of your launch site. Readings are then taken periodically from approximately 10,000 feet (2048 meters) to 70,000 feet (21336 meters) in increments of 20,000 feet (6096 meters). Record the time and the actual altitude for each of these. The "Brust/Cut Down" field is used to record when the balloon starts descending. You then reverse the process that was done for the ascent, taking readings for each section of the descent. Lastly, you will record the landing time and altitude, and then the time when the HAB platform is actually found and recovered. These two times can vary significantly depending on where the HAB lands and how long it takes to reach it.
8: The "ASCENT/DESCENT SPEEDS" section is filled out in a similar way to "MISSION TIMES/STATS" except that you will need to take two altitude/time readings a minute or more apart for each target altitude (if the information is available). You then calculate the ascent/descent rates using the following formula:
abs(Altitude1 - Altitude2) / abs(Time1 - Time2)
abs means that you take the absolute value of the subtraction so that the difference between the two values is always positive. An example would be that if you took a got data from the balloon that said it was at 11,223 feet at 09:38:14, and then got another reading of 11,325 at 09:39:14, your ascent rate would be:
This ascent rate is just an example. Your ascent/descent rate will vary.
9: The "INSTRUMENTS" section is used to record the activation times for equipment such as GoPro cameras and data loggers. This allows all of the data on the HAB platform to be tied to a common time base. An example would be that for a camera, you would write down the camera number (if using multiple cameras), and the time when the record button was pressed. Then if a data logger is activated 10 seconds later you know the location in the video to sync with the data from the logger.
Far Horizons is a program of Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL, USA. One project of Far Horizons is this HAB platform, which affords researchers of all ages access to "near space" with a maximum altitude of approximately 100,000 feet (30480 meters). The Far Horizons HAB platform is being documented here in the hopes that it will facilitate the experiments of other people with an interest in HAB use and research.
The Far Horizons platform is just that, more of a floating "platform" with a frame that can hold instruments and cameras in a horizontal plane. This is different than the typical "train designs" that you see with the majority of HAB designs. If you're looking for a simpler train design, please see the Space Chiles project which is a collaborative effort between the Far Horizons lab and Quelab Hackerspace in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Far Horizons is a program of Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL, USA. One project of Far Horizons is this HAB platform, which affords researchers of all ages access to "near space" with a maximum altitude of approximately 100,000 feet (30480 meters). The Far Horizons HAB platform is being documented here in the hopes that it will facilitate the experiments of other people with an interest in HAB use and research.
The Far Horizons platform is just that, more of a floating "platform" with a frame that can hold instruments and cameras in a horizontal plane. This is different than the typical "train designs" that you see with the majority of HAB designs. If you're looking for a simpler train design, please see the Space Chiles project which is a collaborative effort between the Far Horizons lab and Quelab Hackerspace in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Below is a list of questions and proposed answers to help define the requirements for this project retroactively. You can view the meeting minutes here
A1. Adler's original motivation for developing the Far Horizons Project High Altitude Balloon (HAB) program is to act as a gateway to developing CubeSats. Adler's design is highly influenced by assistance from L. Paul Verhage and his book. 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.
A2. The Far Horizons Project is for anyone who wants to build experience in the area of near space missions. This includes schools and school clubs, scouting troops, makers and makerspaces. Adler's goal is to help groups get the experience to fly their own missions.
A3. The HAB provides a platform to carry scientific and engineering payloads to a near space environment. This environment exposes 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. These payloads are limited by a total vehicle weight of 12 pounds with individual payloads of 6 lbs or less.
Have operations that are flexible enough to deal with changing conditions on the ground, including adjusting for weight restrictions, winds, or other unexpected launch conditions
Be trackable to facilitate recovery operations
Provide for a soft landing
Support carrying experiment payloads (each payload container limited to 6 lbs)
Have a weight, which when combined with the total vehicle weight, is under 12 lbs
Carry the payload to an altitude between 90,000 and 100,000 feet (27432 and 30480 meters)
A7. Small teams (2-3 members minimum) of volunteers, students, 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.
A8. We expect teams will want to build one or more systems (the reusable components of the HAB) for their own use. Note, each mission requires the purchase of a new balloon envelope and lifting gas.
A9. A minimum budget for a first flight (build and operation of one HAB) is $300. Versions with more robust tracking and payload systems will require additional investment.
A10. It is anticipated that from build to launch will take approximately 4 weeks.
Q11. What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?¶
A11. Each flight will require the disposal of a latex balloon (part of which will be lost in the sky) and lithium batteries. Construction materials include "pink insulating foam".
Below is a list of questions and proposed answers to help define the requirements for this project retroactively. You can view the meeting minutes 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. Adler's design is highly influenced by assistance from L. Paul Verhage and his book. 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.
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 troops, 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 High Altitude Balloon needs to:
Operate safely throughout its flight
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 90,000 and 100,000 feet (27432 and 30480 meters)
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)
Q7. Who's going to build this?
A7. Small teams (2-3 members minimum) of volunteers, students, 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. We expect teams will want to build one or more systems (the reusable components of the HAB) for their own use. Note, each mission requires the purchase of a new balloon envelope and lifting gas.
Q9. What is the budget?
A9. The budget for a first flight (build and operation of one HAB) is $300. Future versions with more robust tracking and payload systems will require additional investment.
Q10. What is the timeline?
A10. The first build by an outside group (Quelab) is anticipated to take approximately 4 weeks.
Q11. What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?
A11. Each flight will require the disposal of a latex balloon (part of which will be lost in the sky) and lithium batteries. Construction materials include "pink insulating foam".
Ken - Big picture goal was to build up to developing CubeSats. Seemed like a reasonable first step. Adler received help from the guy who literally wrote the book on High Altitude Balloons. Has the added benefit of providing educational opportunities to practice near space missions with students and enthusiasts. Adler also wants to inspire the community to "take back space exploration" - use amateur efforts to move space exploration forward.
Jeremy - ditto
J - ditto
Q2. Who is this for?
Ken - Schools (and School Clubs), students, (getting more people involved is better), Boy Scouts, and now Makers and Maker Spaces. The first step is to provide payload opportunities, but the goal is to get groups the experience to be able to fly their own missions.
J - wants to echo support for including Makers and Maker Spaces in the list of who this is for.
Ken - Plugging into schools is a natural fit for Adler because they have a large education department and the ties to the educational community that come with that. Ken is very excited to have the opportunity to share Far Horizons with the Maker community.
Q3. How will this be used?
J - so this question is really, what do you do with it once you have one of these balloons?
Ken - The Near Space Environment is like dipping your toes in the space environment (very low pressure, higher radiation exposure, low temperatures). This creates engineering challenges for designing and operating payloads.
J - The HAB provides a platform to carry scientific and engineering payloads to a Near Space Environment for a duration on the order of a couple of hours.
Ken - Payloads are limited to 6 lbs (and the system is limited to 12 lbs) for flights without FAA notice requirements.
Q4. What features does it need to have (now)?
Ken - Has to operate safely in flight; operations have to be flexible (ability to adjust payloads to meet weight requirements, adjust to flight conditions - aka winds, or setting up the launch); needs to be trackable, needs to provide for a soft landing, has to be able to carry the payloads (max system weight of 12 lbs, individual payloads no more than 6 lbs) to approximately 90kft-100kft
Q5. What features does it need to have (later)?
Ken - wish list
Controlled descent system (guided landings using parafoil kite to either hit or avoid landing sites)
Live two-way telemetry (or command & control) and get 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)
Q6. What are the legacy requirements?
Ken - must comply with appropriate FAA regulations
Q7. Who's going to build this?
Ken - Small team (2-3 people minimum) of volunteers
J - from Shepard work, the designs will be open so that ANYONE could put together a team to build and operate a Far Horizons Project HAB.
Ken - very low skill requirements, but there are some scaling issues depending on some of the engineering choices; more advanced uses require HAM Radio license for tracking, electronics experience, and some background in physics
Q8. How many do we want to make?
J - we want teams to be able to build one or more systems (the reusable components of the HAB) for their own use
Q9. What is the budget?
J - Mach 30 is looking to get a version of the design that is as close to $200 entry as possible, but recognize this may be a bit low
Ken - If we go to $300, that could be doable
Q10. What is the timeline?
J - the work with Mach 30 and Quelab to get a first copy of the Far Horizons Project HAB built and flown is approximately 4 weeks (Per Greg, want to launch by week of July 7-14, 2012)
Q11. What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?
Ken - each flight will drop a spent latex balloon on the ground somewhere, and continued operations go through lithium batteries. Primary build material is foam board, so will have some waste foam.
The items below have been gleaned from meeting notes and video obtained during the Far Horizons design meetings and launch.
TODO: These need to be put in the correct order and formed into a proper set of procedures. A format for the procedures needs to be decided on for this page.
ODT (Open Document Text) and PDF versions of this checklist are available.
Equipment duffle bag
Crescent wrench(es) >= 1-1/8" opening
Kitchen scale
Hanging scale
Regulator and custom fill connector
Cotton (jersey/gardening) gloves
Leather gloves
Zip tie cutter
Binoculars
Helium tanks
Ground tarp
Duct tape
Parachute
Balloons (two for redundancy)
Extendable painters pole (30’) with roller mount for hook if desired
A copy of the Far Horizons Flight Log Sheet (ODS or PDF ) Instructions for the use of the log sheet can be found here.
Flight path prediction printout
There are additional screen captures of the setup and launch process here. The screen captures below show the name of the video they came from, and the time to seek to within the video. This will allow you to see more detail of how a step in the process is done. Refer to the Launch Videos page for a full list of the launch day videos.
Keep in mind that you may want to do some sections of the procedures in parallel. For instance, you may want to assemble the tubular payload platform and attach the payloads while other members of your team prepare the balloon itself.
These are operations that are completed before the launch and chase teams leave for the launch site.
FHPOM 1.1 Break personnel up into teams based on experience and interests, but make sure to have a minimum amount of people on each setup task.
FHPOM 1.2 Make sure that your balloons are not up against anything that might damage them in your equipment transport bag.
FHPOM 1.3 Once you have ensured that all of the equipment is in the transport bag, secure it with zip ties or some other method to keep someone from removing items.
These operations cover assembling the flight vehicle and attaching the payload(s).
FHPOM 2.1 Weigh each component of the flight vehicle to ensure that it’s not over 12 lbs total, and that no single component weighs more than 6 lbs. Enter this information in the "PAYLOAD WEIGHTS" section of the Flight Log Sheet.
FHPOM 2.2 Calculate the amount of lift needed based on payload weight(s) and ascent rate.
FHPOM 2.3 Set up a workspace by laying out the ground tarp and ensuring that it is clean and free of debris, oils, etc. “Clean is key”.
FHPOM 2.4 Lay the helium tanks on one side of the tarp to help keep it from blowing away.
FHPOM 2.5 Remove the safety cover from the helium tank(s).
FHPOM 2.6 Attach the custom built fill connector’s regulator to the first helium tank.
FHPOM 2.7 Use a crescent wrench to tighten (snug) the regulator’s connector to the tank’s valve.
FHPOM 2.8 All personnel who help steady the balloon should wear cotton gloves to help protect the balloon.
FHPOM 2.9 Keep the balloon from coming in contact with anything except cotton gloves during fill and launch.
FHPOM 2.10 Open up the balloon bag and unroll the balloon away from you with the open neck closest to the helium tanks.
FHPOM 2.11 Slip the 2” steel attachment ring onto the neck of the balloon.
FHPOM 2.12 Slide the neck of the balloon over the 1” outlet throat of the fill connector.
FHPOM 2.13 Wrap the neck of the balloon and tape it securely to the fill connector, making sure to leave a folded tab at the end so that you can remove the tape later. You’re securing it against about 20 lbs of pull. Use one continuous wrap that goes down the neck, overlaps the fill connector body, and then goes back up the neck of the balloon.
FHPOM 2.14 Open the main valve directly attached to the helium tank, and then open the secondary regulator.
FHPOM 2.14.1 For a 1200 gram balloon and a K size tank, you’ll add approximately 1-1/2 tanks of helium to the balloon.
FHPOM 2.15 When switching helium tanks, make sure to close the main valve on the tank first before closing the secondary regulator. Otherwise pressure could get trapped in the secondary regulator’s body that is then released forcefully when the connector is loosened with the crescent wrench.
FHPOM 2.16 As the balloon inflates the fill connector’s paracord loop can be attached to a helium tank’s valve to hold it down.
FHPOM 2.17 The paracord loop on the fill connector can be attached to the empty helium tank when switching to the second tank.
FHPOM 2.18 When filling the balloon in an outdoor location, use a clean tulle “tarp” to cover the balloon and keep it stationary.
FHPOM 2.19 During filling one person with leather gloves can hold the fill connector, wrapping the para cord around the wrist of their leather glove, and two people with cotton gloves should be on either side of the balloon to keep it from blowing around.
FHPOM 2.20 Use a luggage scale to measure the lift of the balloon. Make sure to take the weight of the fill connector into account when doing this. Adler puts a line on the hose leading up to the fill connector’s PVC main body, and they have measured the weight of that part of the connector. When measuring the lift, they pull the balloon down to where the line on the hose touches the ground as they’re measuring the lift.
FHPOM 2.21 Once the balloon is filled to the proper generate the proper amount of lift, double the neck over and duct tape it securely before removing the fill nozzle.
FHPOM 2.21.1 Make sure that the steel ring is at the bottom of the neck's loop so that the rest of the launch vehicle can be attached.
FHPOM 2.22 Make sure to use 50 lb rate zip ties to secure the payload(s) to the train line or frame.
FHPOM 2.23 Ensure that all your equipment with a contact number, what it is, etc.
FHPOM 2.24 Attach the parachute to the tubular payload platform.
FHPOM 2.24 Attach the tubular payload platform to the steel ring on the looped neck of the balloon via the parachute using a 50 pound zip tie.
FHPOM 3.1 When launching the balloon in an outdoor location, use a clean tulle “tarp” to cover the balloon and keep it stationary.
FHPOM 3.2 After filling, and during transfer to the launch location, make sure that the balloon does not touch the ground due to wind or mishandling or it may burst.
FHPOM 3.3 Ensure that the parachute and payload line(s) are not tangled or twisted prior to release.
FHPOM 3.4 Move the flight vehicle to an open area, ensure that nobody is caught on the FV in any way or going to be injured by the release of the FV, and then release the balloon and the payload platform.
The items below have been gleaned from meeting notes and video obtained during the Far Horizons design meetings and launch. They need to be put in the correct order and formed into a proper set of procedures. A format for the procedures needs to be decided on for this page.
Break personnel up into teams based on experience and interests, but make sure to have a minimum amount of people on each setup task.
Make sure that your balloons are not up against anything that might damage them in your equipment transport bag.
Once you have ensured that all of the equipment is in the transport bag, secure it with zip ties or some other method to keep someone from removing items.
All personnel who help steady the balloon should wear cotton gloves to help protect the balloon.
Keep the balloon from coming in contact with anything except cotton gloves during fill and launch.
They set up a workspace by laying out the ground tarp and ensuring that it is clean and free of debris, oils, etc. “Clean is key”.
Lay the helium tanks on one side of the tarp to help keep it from blowing away.
Remove the safety cover from the helium tank(s).
Attach the custom built fill connector’s regulator to the first helium tank.
Use a crescent wrench to tighten (snug) the regulator’s connector to the tank’s valve.
Open the helium tank’s valve and then open up the regulator.
Open up the balloon bag and unroll the balloon away from you with the open neck closest to the helium tanks.
Slip the 2” steel attachment ring onto the neck of the balloon.
Slide the neck of the balloon over the 1” outlet throat of the fill connector.
Wrap the neck of the balloon and tape it securely to the fill connector, making sure to leave a folded tab at the end so that you can remove the tape later. You’re securing it against about 20 lbs of pull. Use one continuous wrap that goes down the neck, overlaps the fill connector body, and then goes back up the neck of the balloon.
Open the main valve directly attached to the helium tank, and then open the secondary regulator. For a 1200 gram balloon and a K size tank, you’ll add approximately 1-1/2 tanks of helium to the balloon.
When switching helium tanks, make sure to close the main valve on the tank first before closing the secondary regulator. Otherwise pressure could get trapped in the secondary regulator’s body that is then released forcefully when the connector is loosened with the crescent wrench.
The paracord loop on the fill connector can be attached to the empty helium tank when switching to the second tank.
As the balloon inflates the fill connector’s paracord loop can be attached to a helium tank’s valve to hold it down.
When filling and launching the balloon in an outdoor location, use a clean tulle “tarp” to cover the balloon and keep it stationary.
Always ensure that the balloon doesn’t come in contact with anything. Keep any personnel without cotton or leather gloves on from touching the balloon.
During filling one person with leather gloves can hold the fill connector, wrapping the para cord around the wrist of their leather glove, and two people with cotton gloves should be on either side of the balloon to keep it from blowing around.
Weigh each component of the flight vehicle to ensure that it’s not over 12 lbs total, and that no single component weighs more than 6 lbs. Enter this information in the "PAYLOAD WEIGHTS" section of the "Flight Log Sheet".
Calculate the amount of lift needed based on payload weight(s) and ascent rate.
Use a luggage scale to measure the lift of the balloon. Make sure to take the weight of the fill connector into account when doing this. Adler puts a line on the hose leading up to the fill connector’s PVC main body, and they have measured the weight of that part of the connector. When measuring the lift, they pull the balloon down to where the line on the hose touches the ground as they’re measuring the lift.
Make sure to use 50 lb rate zip ties to secure the payload(s) to the train line or frame.
Ensure that all your equipment with a contact number, what it is, etc.
After filling, and during transfer to the launch location, make sure that the balloon does not touch the ground due to wind or mishandling or it may burst.
Ensure that the parachute and payload line(s) are not tangled or twisted prior to release.
The requirements list matches up to the Initial Questions in step one of the Systems Engineering process as shown below. Each requirement is labeled with FHPR (Far Horizons Project Requirement), followed by the number of the initial question that the requirement corresponds to, followed by a dot and then the ID number of the requirement.
FHPR 1.x - Why are we making this?
FHPR 2.x - Who is this for?
FHPR 3.x - How will this be used?
FHPR 4.x - What features does it need to have (now)?
FHPR 5.x - What features does it need to have (later)?
FHPR 6.x - What are the legacy requirements?
FHPR 7.x - Who's going to build this?
FHPR 8.x - How many do we want to make?
FHPR 9.x - What is the budget?
FHPR 10.x - What is the timeline?
FHPR 11.x - What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?
Technical requirements are those requirements which include measurable performance values. Each technical requirement should be verified through testing to ensure the design meets the requirement.
FHPR 3.1 The HAB must be able to carry scientific and engineering payloads to a "near space environment" and return the payloads safely.
FHPR 3.1.1 Individual modules must weigh 6 lbs or less.
FHPR 3.1.2 Total launch weight must be 12 lbs or less.
FHPR 3.2 The HAB must be able to withstand the near space environment.
FHPR 3.2.1 Must be able to operate at a pressure 0.01 atm.
FHPR 3.2.2 Must be able to operate at radiation levels of up to 60x that at ground level.
FHPR 3.2.3 Must be able to operate at -60 C.
FHPR 3.3 The HAB electronics must be able to run for a minimum of 2 hours including 1 hour at altitude (these times are subject to individual mission plans).
FHPR 4.1 The HAB will carry payloads to altitudes between 90k ft and 100k ft.
FHPR 4.4 The HAB will include a descent system to provide a soft landing (max landing speed of 25 mph).
FHPR 6.1 The design and operation of the HAB shall comply with FAR 101.
Project requirements are the remaining requirements which are not tied to specific performance values.
FHPR 2.1 The HAB must be well documented so as to meet the needs of open source spaceflight designers who will design and build High Altitude Balloons (at Adler and elsewhere).
FHPR 2.2 The HAB documentation and procedures must be complete enough for Adler operators, students, educators, and Makers who want to bring near space missions into the classroom, and anyone else interested in running near space missions.
FHPR 2.3 The HAB documentation must cover the the development, setup, launch, tracking, and recovery of the HAB.
FHPR 4.2 The HAB documentation shall include safety guidelines for launch and recovery.
FHPR 4.3 The HAB will broadcast a tracking signal to facilitate recovery.
FHPR 7.1 All HAB design documentation must be open and complete enough so that anyone, without necessarily a technical education in high altitude ballooning or engineering, would be able to build and operate the HAB.
FHPR 8.1 The design and documentation of the HAB must enable the completion and operation of at least one HAB by a third-party.
FHPR 9.1 The cost of the first third-party operational HAB must not exceed $300 excluding "consumables" and tools.
FHPR 10.1 The build schedule for the HAB should be between 4 and 5 weeks from project commitment to launch.
FHPR 11.1 Electronic waste items, including batteries (lithium and others) and circuit boards, must be disposed of according to all local, state, and federal guidelines.
FHPR 11.2 If the structures of the HAB are damaged beyond repair during operation, proper disposal/recycling guidelines must be followed for the materials used in its construction.
FHPR 11.3 Wherever possible, the HAB design should make it as easy as possible to replace components which are consumable or relatively easy to damage.
Cut Down Unit - Device for detaching the balloon envelop from the flight vehicle to prevent unwanted interactions with the descent control system (often a parachute)
The requirements list matches up to the Initial Questions in step one of the Systems Engineering process as shown below. Each requirement is labeled with FHPR (Far Horizons Project Requirement), followed by the number of the initial question that the requirement corresponds to, followed by a dot and then the ID number of the requirement.
FHPR 1.x - Why are we making this?
FHPR 2.x - Who is this for?
FHPR 3.x - How will this be used?
FHPR 4.x - What features does it need to have (now)?
FHPR 5.x - What features does it need to have (later)?
FHPR 6.x - What are the legacy requirements?
FHPR 7.x - Who's going to build this?
FHPR 8.x - How many do we want to make?
FHPR 9.x - What is the budget?
FHPR 10.x - What is the timeline?
FHPR 11.x - What waste products will be produced by the manufacture and/or operation of this?
Technical requirements are those requirements which include measurable performance values. Each technical requirement should be verified through testing to ensure the design meets the requirement.
FHPR 3.1 The HAB must be able to carry scientific and engineering payloads to a "near space environment" and return the payloads safely.
FHPR 3.1.1 Individual modules must weigh 6 lbs or less.
FHPR 3.1.2 Total launch weight must be 12 lbs or less.
FHPR 3.2 The HAB must be able to withstand the near space environment.
FHPR 3.2.1 Must be able to operate at a pressure 0.01 atm.
FHPR 3.2.2 Must be able to operate at radiation levels of up to 60x that at ground level.
FHPR 3.2.3 Must be able to operate at -60 C.
FHPR 3.3 The HAB electronics must be able to run for a minimum of 2 hours including 1 hour at altitude (these times are subject to individual mission plans).
FHPR 4.1 The HAB will carry payloads to altitudes between 90k ft and 100k ft.
FHPR 4.4 The HAB will include a descent system to provide a soft landing (max landing speed of 25 mph).
FHPR 6.1 The design and operation of the HAB shall comply with FAR 101.
Project requirements are the remaining requirements which are not tied to specific performance values.
FHPR 2.1 The HAB must be well documented so as to meet the needs of open source spaceflight designers who will design and build High Altitude Balloons (at Adler and elsewhere).
FHPR 2.2 The HAB documentation and procedures must be complete enough that Adler operators, students, educators, and Makers who want to bring near space missions into the classroom, and anyone else interested in running near space missions.
FHPR 2.3 The HAB documentation must cover the the development, setup, launch, tracking, and recovery of the HAB.
FHPR 4.2 The HAB documentation shall include safety guidelines for launch and recovery.
FHPR 4.3 The HAB will broadcast a tracking signal to facilitate recovery.
FHPR 7.1 All HAB design documentation must be open and complete enough so that ANYONE, without necessarily a technical education in high altitude ballooning or engineering, would be able to build and operate the HAB.
FHPR 8.1 The design and documentation of the HAB must enable the completion and operation of at least one HAB by a third-party.
FHPR 9.1 The cost of the first third-party operational HAB must not exceed $300 excluding "consumables" and tools.
FHPR 10.1 If at all possible, the first third-party HAB should be completed and launched by July 14, 2012.
FHPR 10.2 The build schedule for the HAB should be between 4 and 5 weeks from project commitment to launch.
FHPR 11.1 Electronic waste items, including batteries (lithium and others) and circuit boards, must be disposed of according to all local, state, and federal guidelines.
FHPR 11.2 If the structures of the HAB are damaged beyond repair during operation, proper disposal/recycling guidelines must be followed for the materials used in its construction.
FHPR 11.3 Wherever possible, the HAB design should make it as easy as possible to replace components which are consumable or relatively easy to damage.
Cut Down Unit - Device for detaching the balloon envelop from the flight vehicle to prevent unwanted interactions with the descent control system (often a parachute)
FHPSP 1.1 Anyone who is holding down the balloon during fill and/or launch should wear leather gloves to protect against abrasion and pinch injuries.
FHPSP 1.2 Ensure that anyone with latex allergies is not exposed to the balloon during flight operations involving latex based balloons.
FHPSP 1.3 When switching helium tanks, make sure to close the main valve on the tank first before closing the secondary regulator. Otherwise pressure could get trapped in the secondary regulator’s body that is then released forcefully when the connector is loosened with the crescent wrench.
Anyone who is holding down the balloon during fill and/or launch should wear leather gloves to protect against abrasion and pinch injuries.
Ensure that anyone with latex allergies is not exposed to the balloon during flight operations involving latex based balloons.
When switching helium tanks, make sure to close the main valve on the tank first before closing the secondary regulator. Otherwise pressure could get trapped in the secondary regulator’s body that is then released forcefully when the connector is loosened with the crescent wrench.
v1.0 Far Horizons Project - Historical Documentation¶
Mach 30 visited the Far Horizons laboratory in June 2012 to observe a launch and document the current HAB (High Altitude Balloon) design. This version is to catch up to the current state of the art at that time.
Welcome to the Far Horizons Project Wiki. This wiki contains documentation covering the design, development, fabrication, and use of the Far Horizons High Altitude Balloon (HAB). Far Horizons is a program of Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL, USA. One project of Far Horizons is this HAB platform, which affords researchers of all ages access to "near space" with a maximum altitude of approximately 100,000 feet (30480 meters). The Far Horizons HAB platform is being documented here in the hopes that it will facilitate the experiments of other people with an interest in HAB use and research.
The Far Horizons platform is just that, more of a floating "platform" with a frame that can hold instruments and cameras in a horizontal plane. This is different than the typical "train" designs that you see with many HAB designs.