SUCCESS and FAILURE!
Well we launched our balloon today at 10:40 AM and it all worked like it should have except it did not follow the predicted flight path that it was supposed to. The CUSF Balloon predictor website showed a completely differet path and it show a landing in the farmlands west of Mount Vernon, Wa.
Our balloon flew a total of about 3 hours before landing in the ocean! It ascended about a 1000 feet per minute which is why it had no tracking for about an hour midway through the flight. It was supposed to quit tracking above 60,000 feet. The cellphone Accutracking shows a maximum altitude of a little under 20,000 feet, but that is the highest the cellphone can transmit altitude readings, some cellphones will give altitude reading a little higher up to 30,000 feet.
The balloon has been in the water almost 3 1/2 hours now and it is still sending out tracking details every few minutes. It must be floating. It is located on the south end of Charles Island which is a tiny private island that is south of Lopez Island. We have no way of currently reaching it other than a boat. The balloon is at coordinates 48.44072 -122.9090
It looks like there are a couple of houses on the island and the balloon is against a rocky cliff in the water. We are hoping it goes out on the tide and floats around to Lopez Island where someone will find it and call us.
We will post a video of the launch and some pictures also. Below is a photo of where the balloon is currently at in Google Earth. We are very dissapointed we did not recover it yet but hopefully we will. Not sure if the SD card will survive the saltwater.
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Mar 26, 2012 -
Apr 25, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 0 backed
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- Website: projectdaedalus1.blogs...
Pledge $5 or more
3 backers
Your name will be included on the flight manifest and a personal thank you from a very grateful 11 year old boy!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $10 or more
20 backers
Receive (2) 4x6 photos from the highest altitude of the flight + your name on the flight manifest and a personal thank you from a very grateful 11 year old boy!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $25 or more
9 backers
Receive (2) 5x7 and (2) 4x6 photos (all different views) + your name on the outside of the payload container, and a personal thank you from a very grateful 11 year old boy!
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $50 or more
3 backers
Receive a photo magnet of the best shot of the flight PLUS all of the above.
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1 backer
Receive an 8x10 photo from the top of the flight PLUS ALL of the above rewards.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $200 or more
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You will receive a beautiful 5x10 Desk Calendar with up to 4 different photos from the flight on it PLUS ALL of the above.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $350 or more
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You will get to place your business card or similar sized card in view of the camera as it ascends to the near edge of space, at an altitude of approx 17-18 miles high. You will receive an 8x10 photo of your card at the apex of the flight PLUS ALL of the above rewards.
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012
Comments
Creator Q on July 16, 2012
Good Job. Hopefully you will be able to get the balloon otherwise great details and work.
Looking forward to your next mission.