Announcement of EOSS-84
Friday morning update 17-Sep-04 09:25
Randy Collander has given us the go for tomorrow's launch so be sure to
listen in to this evening's Tracking and Recovery net to get the latest
details on tactical assignments.
LAUNCH DATE: September 18, 2004 (alternates Sept. 19, Sept. 25, Sept. 26)
Because of the large balloon envelope, excellent surface weather conditions
are an absolute must for this flight. Thus, the three alternate launch dates.
LAUNCH TIME: 07:00 am MDT (13:00 UTC)
The large envelop being used for this flight requires near calm conditions
to launch, so the window opens at 7 am but a hold may be instituted if better
surface conditions are expected.
LAUNCH SITE: Meadow Lake Airport, CO (directions
here)
Please review the directions page if you plan to attend the launch in person.
It maps out the airport's strict restrictions
on where you can drive).
EOSS Frequencies:
Global Frequencies
- Preflight Net:
- 147.225 MHz 8 pm MDT preceding Saturday night
- 145.160 MHz simulcast in the Springs
- 146.640 MHz will serve as a backup frequency
- Tracking and Recovery
Operations
- 448.450 MHz PPFMA (100 Hz Tone)
(approved-final)
- 146.550 MHz simplex (same simplex for field and launch ops)
- Repeater Coverage Pages -
Listings of all repeaters available in the expected flight areas.
- There may be FRS operations. Not expected this flight but see
THIS PAGE
for a list of channel numbers and their associated UHF Frequencies.
- 7.228 MHz HF
all freqs below tentative
EOSS-84 (EOSS Frequencies)
- Beacon
- APRS
- 144.340 MHz
(Payload Train)
- 445.975 MHz
(Raven Balloon Envelope)
- Note: After payload separation, this APRS beacon will follow the
descent of the balloon, NOT the payloads. We plan to clean up after
ourselves by recovering the balloon after it lands.
EOSS-84 (FSL Frequencies)
Flight Systems:
EOSS-84
| Balloon Manufacturer |
Raven |
| Balloon Type |
plastic |
| Balloon Size |
19,000 cu. ft. |
| Payload |
28 lbs (Gains only) |
| Free Lift % |
calculated at fill |
| Ascent Rate |
1000 fpm estimated |
| Descent Rate |
900 fpm estimated |
| Parachute |
10 ft. diameter |
| Peak Altitude |
determined after flight |
| Launch Conditions |
determined at launch |
Payload Configuration:
Preliminary
EOSS Grid:
Posted the night before the flight.
| Location |
Grid X |
Grid Y |
| Falcon |
2.7 |
5 |
| Genoa |
62 |
29 |
| Flagler |
85 |
30.1 |
| Byers |
23 |
58 |
| Last Chance |
56.4 |
60 |
| Meadow Lake (launch) |
4.3 |
5.6 |
| Predicted Touchdown |
58 |
32.8 |
Tactical Callsigns:
| Tactical |
Callsign |
Name |
Notes |
| Alpha |
NØNDM |
Larry |
coordinator |
| Alpha (b) |
WØCBH |
Benjie |
|
| Bravo |
KØJLZ |
Jim |
|
| Bravo (b) |
KØAEM |
Richard |
|
| Charlie |
KCØRPS |
Jim |
|
| Charlie (b) |
WØNFW |
George |
|
| Delta |
WAØGEH |
Marty |
|
| Echo |
KØANN |
Ann |
|
| Foxtrot |
KIØDZ |
Mary Frances |
|
| Golf |
NQØR |
Randy |
|
| Hotel |
KØANI |
Larry |
|
| India |
NØLP |
Nick |
Ground Station |
Notes:
Our Customers
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to fly an
experiment aimed at testing a piece of hardware intended for use onboard the
GAINS balloons.
Web pages of interest:
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