Data capturing equipment successfully tested

The recent launch in South Africa of the High Altitude Experiment involving tests of the various equipment that has been designed and built to capture data from the student's projects and relay this back to ground, was a success despite some small hitches. Ancillary equipment to track the balloon and Radio Amateur experiments were also included.

Although there were issues with the launch, the main purpose of the exercise was to ensure the controller worked as required. The controller needed to be able to track itself, take measurements which included battery voltage, inside and outside air temperature and barometric pressure readings and to finally activate a release mechanism to detach itself from the balloon and return back to earth.

The project started as a Sci-Bono Discovery Centre and Radio amateur project in co-operation with the Gauteng Department of Education.

An invite was sent to schools in the Gauteng area inviting interested students wishing to build experiments that could be taken into the sky via balloons to enter. 10 schools volunteered.

For more on this story visit www.hamradio.org.za.

The South African Radio League

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