Near Space Platforms For Amateur Space and Astronomy

ALCON 2002

L. Paul Verhage

Program Manager, TVNSP

Presentation Overview

• Unique Environment• Limitations• Video Examples• Experiments in Near Space• Starting A Program• Show And Tell• Questions And Answers

Near Space Is Unique

• Cold (-60 to –90 F)• Low Air Pressure (< 10 mb)• Dry (Stratosphere)

• Above The Weather• Lethal • Identical To Mars

Limitations

• Limited Weight

• Lack Of Stability

Video Tape From Near Space

Amateur Science in Near Space

• Meteor Observations

• Collect Meteoric Dust

• Cosmic Rays

• Solar Studies

• Test Technology

Starting A Program

• Amateur Radio License

• Program Microcontrollers

• Assemble Equipment

• Practice!

• Accept Risk!!

Examples of Equipment and Results

• Near Space Capsule

• Experiments and Results

• Launch Equipment

Questions And Answers