Launch and Landing

    While I've been working on the hardware and firmware for the balloon I've also been thinking about where to launch from and where it might land. I've been using the Near Space Flight Tracking Utility from Near Space Ventures, Inc. While the Google map plotting doesn't seem to work, the XML file is well formatted with altitudes and lat/long. I've entered in data assuming a 3 pound capsule, a kaymont 1500 gram cold weather balloon, and the secret design item I've been alluding to... When the balloon reaches burst altitude I've added in the hardware capability to separate the balloon scraps from the capsule. I've also added in hardware to release a parachute at a specified altitude. Finally, Arhan will be programming two servos that control steering fins on the end of the capsule, which will be rocket shaped. All of this added together amounts to something close to a GPS guided bomb, without the explosives of course. The capsule will separate from the balloon after burst, attempt to steer itself back to its launch location, and at a safe altitude it will deploy the parachute. All of that should reduce the effects of wind drift during landing.
    I'm living in the D.C. area now, and everywhere I look is city or dense trees. I haven't been in the area all that long either and I'm not certain about good launch sites, so I decided to go with what I know. I've picked a few launch sites near Billings, MT where I know there are few people, few trees, and predictable weather patterns. The maps below show the predictions from Near Space Ventures that I've taken over the past couple months. You can see that I have several options depending on which way the wind decides to blow on launch day. Along with the launch I plan on taking my summer vacation in Yellowstone National Park this year! If everything goes well with the hardware and firmware I'm planning on an early July launch.