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Jerry Larson
CSXT Space Shot Program
Civilian Space eXploration team (CSXT) conducted
wind weighting systems tests in 2003 to support
space launches from Black Rock Nevada. GPSFlight units were used in Radio-Sondes to test upper atmospheric movement. The
weather up high was very windy each day which was
bad for the launch.
Tracking several balloons, GPSFlight equipment sent
data back from over 30 miles away WHILE at altitudes of
over 60,000. The GPS units used(TX-232S) were
not designed to report over 18,000
meters(~60,000ft), and in one example, the units hit
this altitude and stopped reporting position until
the balloon burst, and it fell back down lower than
18,000 meters.
Using the STXe, the data would have continued
probably to the altitude of 75,000, where the
balloon broke.
Radio link was maintained the entire time, and was
only lost when the balloon fell behind a mountain,
downrange over 30 miles.
The GPSFlight unit was
based on the 900Mhz TX-1, using the GPSFlight
long-range radios with 2db gain antennas on both
ends.
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The
first unmanned amateur rocket to reach
space!
77 Miles Up! |
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GPS-TEAM Real-time Track:
Click on the image to see a full size version |
