Planned Equipment as of 3/22/12
Imaging:
Canon Powershot A1100IS – High resolution 12 megapixel RAW photos running a custom CHDK firmware and intervalometer script to take a photo every 20 seconds.
Fly Sports 4GB DVR – 640 x 480 @ 30fps video recorder, 70 degree field of view, 2.5 hour recording time and weighs only 20 grams!
Tracking System:
Motorola i290 IDEN network phone – Running a GPS tracking app that relays the current GPS coordinates, altitude, speed and heading to an internet accessible website. An 11″ 7dBi antenna will be attached to the phone and mounted to the outside of the styrofoam package – hopefully drastically improving the communication with the ground. An Energizer Energi-to-Go portable USB charger will be used to give additional power to the phone. The phone’s internal battery is no match against the possible -40 degree temperature in the upper atmosphere, so the Energi-to-Go will supplement with low-temperature safe Lithium batteries.
Balloon:
Undecided between 5ft or 8ft diameter. The decision will be made after all the components are setup in the styrofoam package and weighed.
Parachute:
Undecided. It will depend on the weight of the package.
Data Collection:
The phone will capture and transmit the GPS coordinates, altitude, speed and heading to the ground. The camera is programmed with a custom script to record an image every 20 seconds as well as write a log file with the current date, time, battery voltage and lens temperature. Since the lens will be outside the styrofoam box, the lens temperature should give a relatively good idea of the temperature at altitude.