ANSR-43 Flight Summary

Launch 5 Apr 2008, 1631 UTC, (9:31 AM MST)

Payloads Payload Computer, APRS Beacon, University Student Payloads


Flight Notes

3000 gram balloon

New software image for APRS Beacon. First fight using MIC-E encoded packets instead of NMEA-0183 GPGGA and GPRMC packets. MIC-E packets failed to route through local Digi-peater to I-Gate. Need to review APRS path settings. Removed GATE from path that likely blocked reports. Improved quantity of received messages because of much shorter burst transmission.

Replaced the Payload Computer's GPS engine with a Motorola M12M GPS engine. No loss of 3D lock for entire flight other than post burst chaos.

APRS Beacon GPS antenna was glued to metal shield within the Pelican case enclosure. During the descent, the antenna came loose and was free within the payload enclosure. The metal shield can covering the antenna LNA contacted the positive battery terminal multiple times. This shorted the primary batteries and reset the computer a number of times. After the turbulent descent, the payload recovered and continue to provide position reports.

During post burst chaos of balloon burst at 52,700' it appears the payload train collapsed causing multiple collisions of the payloads. Both GPS engines lost 3D position fixes at the same time.


Flight Data

Data and statistics recovered from Payload Computer Flight Data Recorder:

81.4 statue miles from the launch site on a heading of 98° true

Fight time 1:43:25, landed 1814 UTC, (11:14 AM MST)

Departed at 625', landed at 1820'

Peak altitude 92,209'

Average ascent rate 1163'/minute.  Average descent rate 3664'/minute.  At touch down 2116'/minute.

Lowest internal payload temperature 3.0° F, average 49.4° F.

GPS maintained 99.4% 3D lock during flight.  Average PDOP 1.35.  Average of 11.53 tracked satellites.

Average bus voltage - Payload Computer 11.17 volts


Flight Data Recorder and Maps

	Payload Computer Flight Data Recorder contents as comma separated text (ASCII).  NOTE: This file contains the complete flight recording in one second increment.  Additional information on telemetry measurands included with Payload Computer - Data Logger
	APRS Beacon Flight Data Recorder contents as comma separated text (ASCII).  NOTE: This file contains the complete flight recording in one second increment
	APRS data as received via I-gate and APRS Internet feed. Note: None of the MIC-E encoded packets made it to the Internet feed.
	Flight Path Map.

Data Analysis

The following chart compares the reported altitude of the Payload Computer's Motorola M12M GPS Receiver to the APRS Beacon Trimble Lassen iQ.



Motorola M12M vs. Trimble Lassen iQ GPS Engine.