The STX BLTThe STX BLT

Sep 2010 BVARC Meeting Sep 2010 BVARC Meeting Andy W5ACMAndy W5ACMKirk KK2ZKirk KK2Z

To The Edge of Space!To The Edge of Space!

• 2010 is the 200th Anniversary of the creation of the South Texas Balloon Launch Team

• The goal in 1810 was to create giant balloons to travel to the moon.

How We Inflate BalloonsHow We Inflate Balloons

Launch FacilityLaunch Facility

An Early PayloadAn Early Payload

How we launch themHow we launch them

How we track themHow we track them

How we get them downHow we get them down

But Seriously…But Seriously…

• 2010 is the 20th Anniversary of the flight of BLT-1 from Huntsville, Texas

• Our goal has been to fly interesting, useful and fun amateur-radio payloads to the Edge of Space

• In 2010 we flew BLT-26 from the Wharton Intergalactic Spaceport

BLT-1 2M FM Xmtr - 1990BLT-1 2M FM Xmtr - 1990

BLT-1 Ground EquipmentBLT-1 Ground Equipment

BLT-1 Payload PreparationBLT-1 Payload Preparation

Huntsville Hanger - 1990Huntsville Hanger - 1990

Wharton 1994Wharton 1994

A Favorite from BLT-6A Favorite from BLT-6

The BLT-26 PayloadsThe BLT-26 Payloads

• HSMM-MESH (Ham WiFi) Server = 2.4 GHZ 500 mWHSMM-MESH APRS GPS Downlink = 445.925 W5ACM-8 300 mW

Live Main Payload Color ATV = 1255 FM 900 mWCrossband FM Repeater Uplink = 147.435 & Downlink = 446.000APRS GPS Downlink = 440.950 W5ACM-9 250 mWDigital Camera with a picture every 15 secondsDigital Video Camera with Three Hours of On-Board MemoryRemote Control System for Video Camera SelectionAudio Beeper

Crossband VHF/HF Repeater Uplink = 146.435 MHZ FM & Downlink = 28.636 MHz DSB 1.5W

BLT-26 FlightBLT-26 Flight

BLT-26 Flight PrepBLT-26 Flight Prep

BLT-26 Still-Cam ImagesBLT-26 Still-Cam Images

In the Air!In the Air!

Climbing…Climbing…

Getting ColdGetting Cold

Near Peak – Coastal ViewNear Peak – Coastal View

Coming Back to EarthComing Back to Earth

The Last PictureThe Last Picture

BLT-26 Coming Home!BLT-26 Coming Home!