Canada-Wide Experiment: the High-Altitude Balloon Experiment (CWE-HABEX)Balloon Launch Kit Inventory

version 1.0

An accompanying document with launch instructions is provided separately

The CWE-HABEX kit is divided into two sections: A. PayloadB. Lifter

The Payload consists of 4 separate components1. CWE-HABEX Sensor Package2. Smart Citizen Sensor Package3. SPOT GPS tracker4. HackHD camera

The Lifter consists of 1. 600g weather balloon (2 provided)2. 1-meter Parachute3. Helium filler tube4. Balloon Nozzle (2 sizes provided)5. Payload rope6. Zip ties7. Duct Tape

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE KIT, BUT ARE REQUIRED FOR LAUNCH

1. Payload container2. Helium3. Tarp

A.Payload1. CWE-HABEX sensor package

The CWE-HABEX sensor package is based on an Arduino MEGA and contains a GPS to log position and altitude, an accelerometer/gyroscope/magnetometer combo, a light sensor, and a barometric pressure sensor, as well as a beacon with a RGB-LED strip and a piezo buzzer.

The kit measures the following quantities and reports them to the SD card:● Global universal time● Global position in Latitude, Longitude, and altitude● Heading inferred from differential GPS position● Ultraviolet, Infrared and visible light● Barometric pressure, and altitude inferred from barometric pressure● Temperature inside the payload and temperature outside of the payload● Acceleration (XYZ), Angular rotation (XYZ) and Magnetic Field (XYZ)● Roll, Pitch and Heading inferred from Accelerometer, Gyroscope, and Magnetometer●

All items on wires must be mounted outside of the box, including the external sensors, the RGB LED beacon, the piezo buzzer beacon, and the power switch.

2. Smart Citizen Kit. https://smartcitizen.me

The kit measures the following quantities and reports to an SD card:● Carbon Monoxide● Nitrogen Dioxide● Humidity and Temperature● Battery Level

3. GPS SPOT tracker https://login.findmespot.com/

The SPOT tracker is a GPS device which receives its location from the GPS constellation of satellites, and reports its location back through a constellation of communication satellites. It is able to report its location anywhere in the world without being connected to cellular or other terrestrial communication networks. This device is used to locate the payload after the launch.Each team will receive a unique login and password to track their payload.

4. HackHD camera. http://www.hackhd.com/

This camera will record footage from the edge of space. It records to a separate SD card

Other payload supplies includedEach payload kit is supplied with the following:

● 3 SD cards, one for each sensor kit and one for the HackHD● Batteries for each component

○ Rechargable batteries for the SPOT GPS tracker and the SmartCitizen Kit○ 4-AAA batteries for the CWE-HABEX sensor kit○ 3-AA batteries for the HackHD camera

B. Lifter

The lifter equipment includes the following items

C. Additional ItemsEach team will need to supply a tarp for their launch site. The tarp should be 8’ by 10’. The tarp is used to protect the balloon from the ground surface before inflating

Helium is not included in the launch kits we have sent out. We have made arrangements with Praxair to supply helium for each team’s launch. If you have a separate helium supplier you would like to use instead, please contact us directly and immediately.

Each team will need to purchase or construct a payload container. Foam core is a preferred material in order to insulate the electronics from the cold temperatures of the stratosphere. You can use a small foam cooler, or make your own using foam core purchased from a hardware store or upcycled from discarded packaging.

Containers should have an internal volume of at least 1.5 litres, and one dimension must be at least 12 cm. Weight is a consideration, but you should make your payload container a little larger rather than a little smaller.

Here are some examples of payload containers:

● This payload container is made from the foam packing of a coffee mug. All electronics fit inside and it seals nicely. Holes are cut for the camera, beacon buzzer, external sensors and power switch

● This payload container is constructed from foam core. All components fit inside

Payload container should be sealed with duct tape (in case your payload lands in a puddle or lake) and there should be clear markings on your payload with contact information in case your payload is found. If the GPS tracker fails, this is the only way your payload may be returned to you.

Feel free to decorate your payload container with your local school mascot or other interesting items. Some teams have also mounted objects on a stick in front of the camera, to prove that those objects have been to space.