ANSR-44 Flight Summary

Launch 26 Apr 2008, 1608 UTC, (9:08 AM MST)

Payloads Payload Computer, HF-APRS, APRS Beacon, Student Payloads


Flight Notes

Flight in support of K-12 "Changes in Altitude" flight for Middle and High Schools, sponsored by the Phoenix Mars Mission Outreach Program and the AZ Space Grant Consortium.

3000 gram balloon. Filled to 15% over payload weight. Ascent rate about half of previous flights. Expected higher burst, but was within 98' of the last flight that had an over-filled balloon.

Corrected Digipath setting from previous flight. Received 521 packets via the digipeater. Need to analyze potential MIC-E reporting problem as report during the flight.

Nominal performance of HF-APRS on 144.390MHz direct. Received 103 packets. Greatest distance to Los Cruces, New Mexico. GPS Engine stopped reporting position fixes at 78,882' (24,025 meters). Recovered below this altitude. Internally continues to track, but doesn't report. Appears to be a problem with this firmware load. Previous versions worked to a higher altitude. HF Antenna was damanged during flight. Transmitted into open for the flight.

Nominal performance of APRS Beacon. No loss of GPS for entire flight (always reported 3D fix).

Antenna feed line for cross band repeater damaged during post burst chaos. Communications lost through 75,000'.

Flight Data

Data and statistics recovered from Payload Computer Flight Data Recorder:

50.8 statue miles from the launch site on a heading of 128° true

Fight time 2:40:45, landed 1849 UTC, (11:49 AM MST)

Departed at 1896', landed at 1161'

Peak altitude 92,307'

Average ascent rate 668'/minute.  Average descent rate 3733'/minute.  At touch down 1649'/minute.

Lowest internal payload temperature 9.7° F, average 59.1° F.

GPS maintained 99.6% 3D lock during flight.  Average PDOP 1.43.  Average of 11.37 tracked satellites.

Average bus voltage - Payload Computer 11.05 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
	HF-APRS Beacon Flight Data Recorder contents as comma separated text (ASCII).  NOTE: This file contains the complete flight recording in one second increment
	All APRS data as received via I-gate and APRS Internet feed.
	APRS data received direct on 445.950MHz at IRLP site location.
	APRS data received direct on 144.390MHz from HF-APRS payload.
	Flight Path Map.

Data Analysis

The following chart shows the ground speed from lift off to touch down.

The following shows the payload ground track as reported through the APRS network include MIC-E position reports.