The goal of ANSR is to promote science and education through high altitude balloons and amateur radio.  To focus on the scientific aspects of a flight, ANSR has developed two standard, lightweight payloads. These are included on every flight and provide reliable communications, telemetry, and tracking capability.  With these payloads, groups are free to concentrate on the science of near-space balloon flights.  The payloads and modules include the following:


Payload Computer The Payload Computer provides four major functions. For communications, a repeater is used. A repeater is a radio that receives on one frequency and transmits the same signal on another frequency. The second is telemetry and position data for tracking the balloon during the flight.  The third is a flight data recorder similar to an aircraft's black box.  The final function is to process remote commands from a ground station.

Pico Beacon A complete stand-alone, redundant tracking beacon.

Remote Control  The remote control module is a subsystem in the ATV (Amateur Television) packages the provides telemetry and pointing of the on-board video camera.  It can also be used in a student payload to provide remote control and telemetry functions with a minimum effort.





 Arizona State University students build their first PCB.