LVL1 Trans-Atlantic Balloon Project News

[Daniel Bowen]

Greetings LVL1 makers,

     We had a very productive balloon meeting last night.  I'd like to update you all on what's going on.  

We established a few things:

Goal: To launch a balloon from Louisville, and land on earth east of the Atlantic Ocean

Timeline: First attempt to send a balloon across the ocean will be ready to fly by Dec 1 2010, and several (5?) will take place before April 2011.

Method: Bootstrapping ourselves using extensive data and research by prior attempted crossings, and purchasing a set of ready-made, zero-pressure balloons

A proposed modular flight computer PCB, designed by Brad Luyster, is being ordered today.

There is much much much more to be done, and most of it is pretty interesting stuff.  We need more people involved to make sure this can happen by Dec 1.

For background information on this sort of project, see the long duration balloon info pages I've thrown together: http://wiki.lvl1.org/Ldb

In the next few weeks we'll post an actual list of sub-projects that need more help as the requirements get further explored.  Join us!

Balloon meetings are currently Thursdays at 8PM.

Thanks,
Dan