Spring Break
PicoSatellite Project takes major liftoff
In its effort to reach space, OSUPSP launched its first high-altitude balloon in March
David Bloudek
Issue date: 6/4/09 Section: News
The OSU PicoSatellite Project lifted itself one step closer to reaching space on March 20.
With the launch of its first ever high-altitude balloon, the OSUPSP has elevated the program toward elite status, rivaling many other universities and organizations aimed at performing research in the low earth atmosphere and space.
The recent launch, serving as a stepping-stone onto more prolific launches, sent a payload from Willamette Park in Corvallis into high altitude on March 20.
"I'm just excited that the launch itself went smoothly this morning," said Anthony Odenthal, a sophomore in mechanical engineering. Identified as CASTOR-1, the primary objective of the mission was to successfully track and recover the radio payload using APRS software. Although the launch of the balloon occurred the morning of March 20, the actual recovery of the payload and equipment was not conducted until five days later.
Castor-1, Latin for the word "beaver," travelled east of Corvallis and landed deep in a remote part of the heart of the Cascade mountain range, roughly 20 miles south of Detroit Lake. Members of the project hiked approximately 16 miles through the mountain snow to retrieve the payload box and its contents.
"The 16 miles through the deep snow was really nothing to laugh at," said Craig Sanford of the recovery mission. The project recovery team encountered adversity on the descent after successfully retrieving the payload.
Not properly outfitted, members of the team forged through roughly six feet of snow at dusk, which proved to be a greater obstacle than expected, as fatigue and dipping overnight temperatures tested the team's durability and dedication to the project.
The recent launch acted as a preliminary test of the system's communications architectures. Next level missions for the group will include implementing sensory equipment capable of making temperature, pressure, density and other various measurements.
The project, which was started during spring term of 2008, has already obtained annual funding totaling $5,200 per year from Boeing and generous donors. It also maintains a close working relationship with the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium, which has funded the entire high-altitude balloon project and provided an additional $30,000 for future project endeavors.
Next comes the creation of a satellite-tracking ground station, which will serve as the platform for satellite communications as the program makes the leap from high-altitude balloons to space.
In addition, the program has developed strong ties with the Cube Satellite community. Members of the group will use the project research as senior design projects and senior thesis projects. Satellite development could begin as early as fall term 2009 for the group.
President of the PicoSatellite Project, Chris Holmes-Parker, holds much positive regard for the project's progress so far.
"Everyone has the ability to do great things. I believe that success or failure is not dependent upon knowledge, but instead upon an individual's drive, determination and dedication," Holmes-Parker said.
David Bloudek, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
With the launch of its first ever high-altitude balloon, the OSUPSP has elevated the program toward elite status, rivaling many other universities and organizations aimed at performing research in the low earth atmosphere and space.
The recent launch, serving as a stepping-stone onto more prolific launches, sent a payload from Willamette Park in Corvallis into high altitude on March 20.
"I'm just excited that the launch itself went smoothly this morning," said Anthony Odenthal, a sophomore in mechanical engineering. Identified as CASTOR-1, the primary objective of the mission was to successfully track and recover the radio payload using APRS software. Although the launch of the balloon occurred the morning of March 20, the actual recovery of the payload and equipment was not conducted until five days later.
Castor-1, Latin for the word "beaver," travelled east of Corvallis and landed deep in a remote part of the heart of the Cascade mountain range, roughly 20 miles south of Detroit Lake. Members of the project hiked approximately 16 miles through the mountain snow to retrieve the payload box and its contents.
"The 16 miles through the deep snow was really nothing to laugh at," said Craig Sanford of the recovery mission. The project recovery team encountered adversity on the descent after successfully retrieving the payload.
Not properly outfitted, members of the team forged through roughly six feet of snow at dusk, which proved to be a greater obstacle than expected, as fatigue and dipping overnight temperatures tested the team's durability and dedication to the project.
The recent launch acted as a preliminary test of the system's communications architectures. Next level missions for the group will include implementing sensory equipment capable of making temperature, pressure, density and other various measurements.
The project, which was started during spring term of 2008, has already obtained annual funding totaling $5,200 per year from Boeing and generous donors. It also maintains a close working relationship with the Oregon NASA Space Grant Consortium, which has funded the entire high-altitude balloon project and provided an additional $30,000 for future project endeavors.
Next comes the creation of a satellite-tracking ground station, which will serve as the platform for satellite communications as the program makes the leap from high-altitude balloons to space.
In addition, the program has developed strong ties with the Cube Satellite community. Members of the group will use the project research as senior design projects and senior thesis projects. Satellite development could begin as early as fall term 2009 for the group.
President of the PicoSatellite Project, Chris Holmes-Parker, holds much positive regard for the project's progress so far.
"Everyone has the ability to do great things. I believe that success or failure is not dependent upon knowledge, but instead upon an individual's drive, determination and dedication," Holmes-Parker said.
David Bloudek, staff writer
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Lisa
posted 6/04/09 @ 1:29 PM PST
Wow, this is an incredible venture that these people have started on. There must be a huge time commitment and a LOT of dedication on the parts of the members of the group. (Continued…)
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