Can May 11th "gnome" launch be moved to May 25th?

[Rodney Radford]

Is it possible to move the May 11th gnome balloon launch to May 25th to allow more time for development of the systems in that payload?  I have a working payload now, but it is not in the final form I would like at this point.  I was hoping this launch would be a test launch of everything going in to MF so we can fine tune anything that needs adjustment before MF. Unfortunately, I am not there yet.

I have put in over 60 hours on this system in the last 8 days, and that doesn't count the time leading up until then.  I am probably well over 150 hours at this point.

What I have:

* Development of I2C libraries for all the 10DOF sensors

* RPI is connected to the 10DOF sensor and logging data to a sqllite dbase

* RPI connected to the GPS and logging GPS data (via gpsd)

* RPI connected to webcam and storing images off (unfortunately not very good quality at this time - ChrisM is investigating use of a better camera)

* RPI console is connected to the ATV transmitter and is sending out images

* Trackuino is sharing the same GPS as the RPI (one less required for lock) and is generating APRS

* ATV antenan constructured, APRS antenna constructed

* payload purchased (nice cooler - straight sides, easy to modify)

* WiFi dish attached to a hand pan/tilt system (camera tripod)

* all electronics mounted to it's own assembly that can be dropped into the cooler

Minimum TODO list:
   * determine how to mount the gnome and get that done!

   * point a known working camera at the gnome (hopefully my Nikon Coolpix + JohnE's GoPro)

   * automatically boot the NTSC video out into an automatic login + starting X + starting web browser on stationid.py

   * starting up the camera capture and 10DOFd daemons automatically
   * cut the holes in the payload box for the cameras
   * attach the payload box to the parachute (I don't trust the handle, so will involve a rigging around the cooler)
   * rigging for balloon, parachute, SPOT and payload
   * finalize wiring of 12v power system (used for APRS amp and ATV transmitter)
   * attach ATV antenna
   * finalize APRS antenna and attach it
   * finalize USB WiFI + antenna attachment

   * Test the ATV system with the Triangle ATV repeater

   * pull together whatever ground equipment is needed (TV, WiFi dish, laptops, ATV antenna, etc)

I am heading out today for a system test of everything in the cooler from atop the parking deck behind the Natural Resource Center (NRC) of the NC Museum of Natural Sciences.  This will test the camera outside and streaming out through WiFi and see how far away I can detect it).

The minimum required for the launch are JohnE (gnome owner and our sponsor for this launch), Chris G (balloon lifting gas), Chris Miller (WiFi + camera work), Jeff Highsmith.  Of course, we need more to assist with the balloon and the chase, so these are not all - so everyone who was/is interested in attending, please let me know if the change in date will be a problem.

Thanx - now off to the Flying Saucer for lunch, and then hanging off a 7 story parking deck for a WiFi test... (nice combination there).

[Rodney Radford]

JohnE has contacted me off lust and is okay for a memorial day launch, so considering moving to then if support personell is available.

So call out to balloon and chase teams - is memorial day okay with everyone?

[Chris Miller]

That actually works better for me, although I won't be able to chase, I'll be able to help with the launch.

-Chris

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[Jeff Highsmith]

I agree that we should postpone until a more meaningful system test can be done. It's been an awful crunch to get this far, but there are more pieces to get in place, and few people that can do them. 

Jeff :)

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[Jeremy Davis]

I know we have had this discusson before, if there is any interest in launching at Barcamp let me know, and I would do anything I could to accomodate. I could make announcements to see if there may be some interested chasers in the crowd. If too stressful though, dont worry, just plan to come enjoy BarCampRDU.

Cheers!
Jeremy Davis
BarCampRDU Organizer
TriLUG PR

On May 5, 2013 11:10 AM, "Rodney Radford" <ncgad...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Rodney Radford]

I'd rather show hardware and photos and talk about it and enjoy the remaining sessions.

A launch will take several of us away from bar camp

[Jeremy Davis]

Roger that, looking forward to it. You can also promote the 25 May launch at BarCamp. I can still make an announcemnt to the BarCamp lists if you need chasers or anything else.

[Christopher Gorski]

I can't do the 25th.  Anniversary takes priority.

I can do 5/18 or 6/1...  either of those possible? 

I am picking up the H2 bottle next week as per arrangement, but I don't mind hanging on to it for extra weeks.  

--me

[Christopher Gorski]

By the way, Rodney, as per to-do list: 

- If you need chute from me sooner, let me know and I will arrange to drop it off with you.

- I am not sure if any of the more menial tasks on your to-do list (cutting holes, mounting gnomes?) are things that could be farmed out to me...  I am happy to try, but if it takes more to do them than to get the bits to me, nevermind ...

- likewise if I can try to help round up bits let me know what the requirements are... 

- if we CANNOT launch on a day other than my anniversary, I will ask around and see who I can hand the H2 responsibilities off to.  If Evan is there I trust him to maintain reasonable safety protocols, though I don't know what his availability is that day...  there are others I can ask about being balloon-dogs themselves.   (Obviously I'd prefer to be there directly, but if I have to prep things and hand them off, I don't mind doing that as long as we do so safely and put together a sufficiently skilled ground crew.)

- Re: H2 safety, how long should the rigging be for the payload?  I was hoping to have a 3x balloon radius safety zone for only the H2 handling people; assuming a 4 lb. payload, 6 oz. chute, and 650g (23 oz.) cell with 1 lb. free lift, that's about 110 cu-ft or a 3 ft. sphere; if we overfill a little we get less drift before burst.  Is about 10 ft. from cell-to-payload reasonable, or had we decided that was too long? -- if the latter, perhaps we'll just allow the chute to lie farther from the center of the zone and just move it in to attach at the end...  Parachute with current rigging attached is way longer than that; I only ask because I seem to remember the discussion of whether it was too long.  As long as previous configuration is all right, we're good.  

Have we formally cancelled for the 11th then? 

--me

[Rodney Radford]

Chris, perhaps you missed the update where I proposed May 27th (Memorial Day) as our backup launch date.  May 25th has already been ruled out as JohnE (owner of the gnome and person paying for all our consumables for this launch) cannot make it that day (Galapagos is a bit of a commute for a balloon launch).

May 18th is the date of Bar Camp RDU where we are presenting.  I will definitely be there, but I am hoping a few others can join me for support and to answer questions.  So if you have not already done so, please add that day to your calendar.  Either way, that date is out.

I have not asked anyone about June 1, so I guess it is possible, but at this point, our only required ground support person for a May 27th (Memorial Day) launch is our balloon fill crew (Chris, I hope you can be a part of that).  I did complete the H2 class (http://www.h2labsafety.org/) that was linked to from the ARHAB website (and sent out by me earlier).

At this time, no one has formally cancelled the 11th, but it seems unwise to me to rush a launch on that date and not make good use of an opportunity to test everything.  Sure, we can launch on that date - we have already done that many times before - but since the main reason for doing this launch (other than flying the gnome) is to test the systems for Maker Faire, delaying it a bit is to our best benefit.

As for rigging, on the last two launches, I had about 15-20' between the balloon and the parachute, and a similar length between the parachute and the payload, all to make sure there is no tangled parachute from the balloon.  This would put anyone with the payload well beyond the radius you suggested.  In addition, I plan to add a quick disconnect between the payload and the rest of the system so it can be prepped way outside the range of the balloon and connected at the last minute.  This will also allow setting up the equipment early, getting a lock and APRS iGate, etc, before any balloon work begins.

So the question is, Chris, are you open for May 27th, as per the update sent out earlier today?  If so, we have a quorum and are ready to go.

[Christopher Gorski]

I did miss that update, thanks for the heads-up, Rodney. 

Monday 5/27 looks "plausible" but I need to check with Amber... stand by!  will reply later tonight.  

--me

[Christopher Gorski]

Amber says we are GO for Monday 5/27.  I may not be able to chase much, but I can do a morning launch. 

What time do we want to say?  08:00 at Horseshoe Farm Park, prep, 09:00 est. balloon up?  Or...?     

--me

[Christopher Gorski]

NB:  let me confirm the date change with our hydrogen team, but let's say 5/27 unless something changes.  (: 

--me

[Rodney Radford]

Posting an update in a separate thread with the correct date.