BACAR team makes progress but delays launch until July

South Africa's BACAR (Balloon Carrying Amateur Radio) team has made considerable progress towards the launch of the first mission in many years.

The main obstacle was the cost of helium of between R2,000 and R3,000 depending on the size and number of balloons.

While helium is the safe gas that is allowed to be used without permits, it is heavy and does not produce as much lift as hydrogen. The use of hydrogen is heavily regulated and it is only sold for industrial applications subject to a permit.

John Willescroft, ZS6EF, set about investigating hydrogen production at the launch site and built a prototype hydrogen generator. Initial testing showed great promise and a balloon was successfully inflated. During the next six weeks he will be carrying out more tests.

With the current unstable weather conditions it is not opportune to launch BACAR until June/July. Taking all into account the launch date has been set for 25 July 2009 with a pre-flight test with all the components of the payload integrated on 11 July.

The pre-flight test will be at the NARC and the eventual launch at the Irene weather station.

Source: The South African Radio League