AHAB Project

The AHAB Project, or Autonomous High-Altitude Balloon Project, is a proposed club research project whose goal is to create and deploy an autonomous high-altitude balloon to record data, video, and pictures from the target height of 30KM. A secondary goal is to keep this project as cheap as possible, aiming at a $500 spending limit.

= Description = Weather balloons typically reach 30KM from sea-level, and stay within the stratosphere. From this altitude, a weather balloon can usually see the curvature of the earth, and the beginnings of dark space. buy-essay.net buy essay here This project is to demonstrate the ability to create an autonomous weather balloon that is both capable of recording data (position, temperature, air-pressure) and to promote the robotics club as a legitimate and large university student organization.

= Technical Requirements =
 * High-Altitude Balloon
 * Package capsule
 * Solid wooden frame for structure
 * Think polymer outer coating
 * Styrofoam to keep heat
 * Glass to buffer camera and outside world
 * Easy access by top-cap removal
 * Internal foam cushioning to soften landing
 * Emergency Release from balloon
 * Emergency parachute
 * Stable fall (falls straight)
 * Electronics
 * Arduino (or more for sensor interfaces)
 * Logic, Mechanical, Sensor, and Camera batteries
 * Simplified recharging system (e.g. one or two cables that pop out for recharging)
 * Camera memory
 * Sensor recording memory
 * Camera for recording
 * Sensors:
 * GPS
 * Altitude
 * Compass
 * Temperature monitors (inside & out)
 * Communication system
 * Emergency communication system (If lost, automated phone call?)
 * Accelerometer
 * Barometer
 * Emergency flare (Non-dangerous / no fire / no heat)

= Research Links =
 * Sparkfun overview of their own balloon