In Real World Measurements in Spring of 2014 I worked on a team of five to design a weather balloon system. I constructed the payload from inexpensive insulation foam to house all electrical components in a waterproof compartment and mount sensors externally. I also assisted in the choosing of sensors.
The weather balloon was designed to measure methane and ozone levels and temperature. We launched the balloon from central Massachusetts in April, and we spent the day tracking its progress until its disappearance in the woods of New Hampshire. Although we never found our balloon, we learned a great deal from having to present a project with no end product. In hindsight, we would have planned and budgeted multiple balloons, as materials for the balloon and payload were inexpensive. We would also have sacrificed an attached camera due to its expense and weight. We still hopefully await the payload's safe return. |
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