Reach For Space Flight #21!

The crew from Lubbock included Angus, KD5ARY; Tavis, KD5URL and Michael, WC5Z. Their payload (on the left) included two digital cameras, a 2-meter beacon and a 10-meter beacon. The other payload (the cylinder) was the N5SNN-11 APRS unit. On the right were George, KY5C and Jerome, K5IS.

Having a last minute conference were WC5Z, Daniel, KC5HQY; Pauline, KD5WBK and KY5C:

Jim, N5LNR; K5IS and N5IS displayed another payload. This one contained the crossband repeater and the other APRS unit:

Here are some photos of inflating the helium balloon and its launching, in sequence:

 

Mary, AD5QV, had a steady view using her tripod. She and Jan, KD5QPE, were the first to locate the landed balloon, using a DF antenna!

 

The balloon travelled about 10 ground miles and reached 90,000 feet.

Note how the balloon shreds were tangled with the parachute and payload packages:

 

And of course-- as always-- recovery was a team effort!

The crossband repeater worked well. Not only were members of the chase team able to communicate through it, but stations in Amarillo, both fixed and mobile, used it during the flight. And check out these in-flight photos!

And for those of you interested in APRS and Packet communications, Austin, KB5IIM, provided us with these photos of the installation at Guymon, Oklahoma:

COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS?

E-MAIL Austin , Jerome, or George!

Also see: April 16, 2005 Launch

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