High Altitude Balloon Experiment 2010



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High Altitude Balloon Experiment

(HABEX)

2010

A Sci Bono Discovery Centre initiative

In cooperation with

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Department of Education

Curriculum Development and Support

Electrical Technology

Project Profile and Team Guideline

Contents

1. Introduction 3

2. Purpose of the Project 3

3. Outcomes 4

4. Roles and Resposibilities 4

4.1 The Teacher 5

4.2 The Radio Amateur 5

4.3 The Team Leader 5

4.4 The Journalist 5

4.5 The Administrator 6

4.6 The Construction Crew 6

4.7 The Flight Crew 7

5 Workplan and important Dates 7

6 The HABEX Project Team 8

6.1 Sci Bono Discovery Centre 8

6.2 Department of Education 8

6.3 Department of Communications 8

6.4 Afrox Linde: South Africa 8

6.5 Consulting Engineers and Radio Amateurs 8

7. Contact Details 9

1. Introduction

Radio Amateurs have been experimenting with communications for decades. Few areas of communication are however as exciting as space communications. Satelites rotating around the earth beaming information downward inspires images of astronauts, space travel and even the possibility of life on other planets.

Nowadays the availability of Google Earth and the internet brings the reality of space so much closer to John Q Public or as we call him Joe Soap. You and me, ordinary people.

Modern technology however do not allow us to experience the exitement of interacting with the real hardware used in space comunications. This is where the magic of amateur radio starts.

Every boy and girl at one stage looks up in the sky and wonders what it would be like to go to space. Some boys and girls get to do it. Chuck Yeager, John Glen, Neil Armstrong, Richard Branson and our very own Mark Shuttleworth are among the elite few that have experienced space or near space travel.

What we tend to forget is the thousands of scientists and engineers that silently work behind the scenes, developing new technologies to send manned and unmanned spacecraft into orbit. Weather stations around the world send up quasi-satelites on a daily basis and they too experience the thrill of near-space travel and communications.

Through the involvement of communications in high altitude balloons, you too can become a space engineer, utlilising exiting technologies and conducting extraordinary experiments in near space conditions.

The High Altitude Balloon Experiment (HABEX) is an effort at experiencing the exitement and challenge of putting a payload into the stratosphere, on a shoestring budget.

2. Purpose of the Project

In order to ensure that a project can be implemented sucessfully, everyone needs to know WHY we are doing it and HOW. The purpose of the HABEX project is primarily an educational one. We want the learners in Electrical Technology to excel in the subject.

In order to excel in your subject, you need a lot of knowledge. This knowledge helps you to develop skills, which in turn helps to cement into the foundation the knowledge obtained. The more knowledge you convert into skills, the better you will do at your school work.

To focus our efforts we set ourselves goals or objectives. For the project to be succesful, we have to reach these goals.

• Main Objective No.1 – Support Electrical Technology Curriculum and provide expanded opportunities to learners. Habex is designed to just that.

• Main Objective No.2 – Conduct Propagation Studies though experiments into:

– APRS Networking

– Beacon Propagation

– Information Collection and Transfer (Telemetry)

– Propagation of FM Voice Telephony

– Propagation of Video and Sound

– Propagation of 2.4 GHz Data and VOIP at high altitude.

– Near Space Conditions.

• Main Objective No. 3 – Engage in on-air educational debate based around HABEX.

• Main Objective No. 4 – Assist in establishing sustainable amateur radio stations at FET schools offering Electrical Technology (Linkage with Amateur Radio Project)

• Main Objective No. 5 – Turn educational activities into fun, learning and life changing experiences. To work hard and have fun is not hard work at all!

With these objectives in mind we can now proceed to the next level. WHAT do we need to achieve in order to meet these objectives.

3. Outcomes

In order for us to achieve our objectives, we need to add a bit more detail using an outline to stipulate what we are going to do.

During the roll out HABEX 2010, the following outcomes will be met:

1. Schools are invited to participate in HABEX 2010.

2. Project Teams are established. One team per school is allowed to participate.

3. Project Teams research, develop and build a payload for HABEX 2010.

4. Central Aviation Monitoring Unit (CAMU) approval is sought for the launch of mutiple payloads for HABEX.

5. Teams are transported to a launch site outside of the Terminal Manouvre Area (TMA) where HABEX payloads will launched in cooperation with CAMU.

6. Teams track, trace and recover payloads following each individual launch.

7. Teams prepare a project report after the launch. Project reports are presented at a gala function with a panel of judges that will appoint the best team

4. Roles and Resposibilities

In order for teams to work together sucesfully, you need to adapt to a gracious proffesional approach. This basically implies the following:

• Respect each other.

• Stay Focused, be on time, that is how you build a reputation.

• Work hard and do your bit, that is how you earn respect.

• Be friendly and compassionate, that is how we make new friends.

• Self Discipline, don’t wait for someone else to discipline you.

Every team will comprise of at least the following people:

1. The Teacher

The teacher is there to mentor the team. It is not the purpose of the teacher to do all the work. She / He will always be with you as a team when you work and when you travel. Your teacher is like your parent, when they are not around.

Teachers will do the following:

• Arrange transport for the team to and from the school to Sci Bono.

• Accompany you during transport to and from events.

• Write letters from the school to you parents telling them of this project.

• Monitor you in the group and address any discipline issues.

• Help out here and there and give some advise.

2. The Radio Amateur

Somewhere in your area is a radio amateur just waiting for you to ask for her/his help. The radio amateur you contact will be a person that enjoys the hobby and who has the expertise and tools to help you on this project. Radio amateurs have been informed of the project on the national bulletin and are ready to help.

The radio amateur will:

• Have an amateur radio callsign and will have a radio shack at home.

• Give advice on technical aspects of the HABEX.

• Share some experiences with you.

• Learn you some skills in antenna building and circuit construction.

• Have available amateur radio equipment that your team will use on the day of the launch.

As you can see the radio amateur is a very important person and you need to make good friends with her/him. Also respect her/his equipment as it is very expensive and could break easily.

3. The Team Leader

The team leader is one of your team members. This will typically be the hardest working person on the team as the team leader will be the right hand person assisting the teacher.

The team leader must:

• Make sure your team meets regularly, on a weekly basis at least.

• Coordinate your efforts and make sure everyone has something they must be doing (hand out the work)

• Check on each person regularly to see if you are doing your bit.

• Resolve conflict issues in a friendly and calm manner.

• Keep the team together.

4. The Journalist

The journalist is the liaison of the team. This person must document your whole project. When you present your project when the launch is over and done, the presentatio you put together will be compiled by the journalist.

The journalist will:

• Take pictures at meetings and during the launch.

• Take video clips and do commentary on video.

• Make notes and write the story behind the story.

• Compile and edit the final presentation.

There could be more than one journalist on the team. This is however a job that needs someone with some skills on camera and video. Cellphone cameras and videos can be used as well as digital cameras and whatever you can find.

5. The Administrator

The administrator/s are the glue that makes the project stick together. This person is in charge of the research and information. This person must also keep a file with all the team’s circuit diagrams, inventory, workplans, time schedules, and more.

The adminstrator/s will:

• Compile a Team file with

o All the team’s personal details

o The project document

o Circuit Diagrams

o Printed Photos

o Expenses

o Needs

o Component lists and more

• Compile the team report that will go in for judging.

The administrator needs to be a person that is meticulous and has a nack for recording and filing. All your documents must go to the administrator who will file it under a sub section in the filing.

The administrator must compile the final report and will need good ICT skills and must be good in writing essays and such things. This person is key to your team’s success.

6. The Construction Crew

The construction crew will be the guys that put together the payload. They are the workers that ensure that the payload will actually work. Here you need someone with skills, that are good with their hands.

The construction crew must:

• Take responsibility for the tools and instruments of the team.

• Construct the electronic circuits. This could be a shared resonsibility.

• Keep the components together.

• Build the Payload Enclosure

• Build the radar reflectors

• Make the parachute

• Assemble the payload and prepare for launch

• Test the payload and sign off to the flight crew.

If this crew do not work hard, your payload will not fly.

7. The Flight Crew

These are the guys that will fly the payload.

The flight crew consists of:

• Flight Director: This person handles the flight checklist and calls each item out for a “Go Fly” . This person starts the coudntdown and orders the release of the payload on the time indicated by CAMU.

• Systems Power and Protection. This person switches the payload on for the launch. Every separate box is checked by this person in addition to the rest of the crew.

• Balloon Boss. These persons are responsible for filling, closing the balloon and securing the balloon to the payload.

• Parachute and Release Mechanism. This person must see to it that the parachute and release mechanism is activated and ready to operate.

• Tracking and Tracing. These persons must see to it that the APRS system is online and that the GPS has a fix. They must follow the balloon on APRS and track the position using directional antennas

• Experimentation and telemetry. These persons are responsible for the rest of the payload. It is imperative that this crew ensure the payload is ready for departure.

• Radar Reflector. This person must attach the radar reflector and ensure that it is firmly connected.

• Radio Amateur: Double checks all communications before releasing the payload to the flight director. This is the last person on the checklist and will be in charge of all the ground communications.

As you can see the flight crew will consist of the whole team. This is the moment you have been waiting for and success depends on how ready you are as a team. If one thing goes wrong you can lose your payload, spelling disaster.

4. Workplan and important Dates

These are the major dates of the project. You need to plan your own activities inbetween these dates, as certain things well be expected of you at each of these workshops.

There are only 6 from start to finish. Time is of the essence.

|Date |Time |Description of Activities |Resources Required |

|15 February 2010 |14:30 – 16:00 |HABEX Workshop No. 1 |Platform East Level 2 |

| | |Team Registration & Introduction |Registration forms |

| | | |Pen and paper. |

|8 March 2010 |14:30 – 16:00 |HABEX Workshop No. 2 |Electronic Toolkits |

| | |Construction Techniques |Extension cable |

| | | |Camera |

|23 March 2010 |14:30 – 16:00 |HABEX Workshop No. 3 |Electronic Toolkits |

| | |Surface Mount Technology |Extension cable |

| | | |Camera |

|3 May 2010 |14:30 – 16:00 |HABEX Workshop No.4 |Electronic Toolkits |

| | |Payload Designs handed in. Teams present their |Extension cable |

| | |Designs. Electronic Engineers to give comment. |Project File |

| | | |Photos |

| | | |Camera |

|13 May 2010 |14:30 – 16:00 |HABEX Workshop No. 5 |Electronic Toolkits |

| | |Payloads – Prelimenary Testing |Extension cable |

| | | |Communications Equipment |

| | | |Antennas |

| | | |Computer / Laptop (Borrow) |

| | | |Project File |

| | | |Photos |

| | | |Camera |

|5 June 2010 |08:00 – 16:00 |HABEX Workshop No. 6 |Electronic Toolkits |

| | |Payloads – Final Testing |Extension cable |

| | | |Communications Equipment |

| | | |Antennas |

| | | |Computer / Laptop (Borrow) |

| | | |Project File |

| | | |Photos |

| | | |Camera |

|16 June 2010 |08:00 – 16:00 |HABEX 2010 – Launch Day |Payload and everything else. |

5. The HABEX Project Team

Behind the scenes a bunch of other people are also involved in HABEX. These people are:

1. Sci Bono Discovery Centre

• David Kramer: CEO of Sci Bono

o Michael Peter: COO

o Fannie Matumba: Educational Manager

o Anele Davids: Educational Manager

2. Department of Education

• Don Haripersad: Director CD & S

o Themba Nkabinde: CES: FET Schools

o Chris Gryffenberg: DCES Electrical Technology and Project Leader

• Clinton de Kock: SES Electrical Technology (ZS6DKX)

• Andrew Nkwana: SES Electrical Technology (ZS6NKW)

• Suliman Loonat: SES Electrical Technology (ZR6SUL)

• Sidwell Mohlala: SES Electrical / Mechanical Technology

• Albert Makwela: SES Civil / Electrical Technology

3. Department of Communications

• Patrick Msomi: Director Communications

4. Afrox Linde: South Africa

• Marietha Strydom: Afrox Product Manager

• Sibusiso Kubeka: Afrox Special Products Consultant

5. Consulting Engineers and Radio Amateurs

• Leon Lessing ZS6LMG – Microwave R&D Engineer

• Marc de Hotman de Villiers ZS6MDH – RF Design Engineer

• David Hood ZR6DH – IP Camera Specialist

• Tienie Herbst ZS6MHH – Radio Amateur

• Henry Roodt ZS6IIX – CAMU and CAA Liaison

7. Contact Details

Project Leader Sci Bono Discovery Centre

Chris Gryffenberg David Kramer

DCES – Electrical Technology CEO

GDE Sci-Bono

Tel: 011 355 0044 011 639 8436

Fax: 086 607 8472 011 832 3360

Cell: 083 543 5668 082 558 3971

e-mail: chrisg@.za david.kramer@sci-bono.co.za

zs6cog@

Amateur Radio Project Expression of Interest Form

High Altitude Balloon Experiment 2010

We hereby acknowledge that we have received GDE’s invitation to participate in the Amateur Radio Project programme and confirm that

|Our school is interested in participating. | |Our school is definitely not able to participate.. | |

Please tick the appropriate block

Participation in the programme will depend on the principal signing an acceptance form after attending the briefing meeting. Schools receiving this invitation are under no obligation to participate, but if you choose to do so, your school will be expected to participate fully in all aspects of the programme.

Principal’s Name: Signature:

School: Date

If you are not interested, please sign above and return the form, without completing the remainder of the form below. If you are interested please complete the rest of this form.

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|Name of School | |

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|Principal | |Cell # | |

|HOD Phys. Science or Electr. | | | |

|Technology | |Cell # | |

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|Educator 1 | |Cell # | |

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|Educator 2 | |Cell # | |

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|Contact email | |

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|School Telephone | |Fax | |

|Please state whether you have a | |Please indicate |HF | |

|working amateur radio station | |station ability | | |

| | | |VHF | |

Learner Details

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