Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project - RFD-900X Project

Abstract

The Nationwide Eclipse Ballooning Project (NEBP) presents a groundbreaking opportunity for STEM enthusiasts, particularly in the engineering track, to delve into the frontiers of high-altitude ballooning during the upcoming 2023 and 2024 solar eclipses. NEBP's engineering track serves as a gateway for students to participate in crafting and launching sophisticated high-altitude balloon payloads equipped with a myriad of cutting-edge technologies. These payloads are designed to capture real-time video and data from altitudes reaching 75,000 to 120,000 feet during the celestial phenomena. The Michigan Exploration Lab Strato team is a high-altitude balloon division of the MXL group. Our team aims to seek exploration of the stratosphere, new technology demonstrations, and public outreach. Strato's integral role within the NEBP engineering track involves actively developing and assembling the balloon payloads. These payloads encompass high-tech components, including an Iridium tracking system, a flight termination system, streaming video equipment, a suite of sensors, and bespoke engineering innovations. My role in the NEBP engineering track is to support the software development of a sensor suit and data communications module, ensuring a thorough project lifecycle from careful design and testing to launching and managing these payloads during the eclipses. Part of this mission is to ensure we can live stream data down to the ground during flight despite long-distance issues. Engaging in these hands-on experiences within the engineering track aligns perfectly with NEBP's overarching objectives of fostering inclusive STEM education and advancing learners' comprehension of scientific methodologies. My involvement in the NEBP engineering track encapsulates a journey of discovery, innovation, and practical application of engineering principles in real-world scenarios. This immersive venture bolsters my technical understanding and amplifies my collaborative skills, preparing me to navigate the challenges and opportunities inherent in scientific ballooning. My primary goal is to develop, test, and integrate the software in the RFD-900X communication unit (hardware and basic software structure provided to teams via Montana State University) within the high-altitude balloon payload system. We are given about 50% of the code to the component initially, laying out the foundation of the software we need to use for our component. Our primary responsibility required us to take the initial software and make it more robust and effective, introducing utmost fault tolerance into our software to avoid any failure during flight while logging any critical errors in testing to fix. My objectives align with developing the remaining 50% of the code and achieving seamless, reliable, and efficient data collection for real-time data transmission during the eclipse missions.