CloudView 2
Getting a knack for it
Overview
Cloudview-2 is a high-altitude balloon mission with an improved platform from Cloudview-1. The improved platform is our next step towards our Astraeus-01 CubeSat mission, designed to be a closer representation of Astraeus-01 than what the Cloudview-1 mission achieved. GU Orbit members have the opportunity to develop their satellite skills across various discipline areas and involve themselves in inspirational projects.
Title | Description |
|---|---|
LAUNCH BALLOON | Totex TA3000 |
MODULATION | LoRa Chirp Spread Spectrum |
FREQUENCY | 434 MHz |
POWER | - |
CAMERA | Raspberry Pi HQ Camera |
ALTITUDE | 35000 m |
SIZE (FULL SIZE) | - |
SIZE (PAYLOAD) | - |
WEIGHT | 3.8 kg |
STATUS | Assembly, integration and testing |
Specifications
Aim
To be a high-altitude test platform of selected requirements and systems of Astraeus-01 and other peripheral systems required for a high-altitude mission.
The Platform
Preparing to launch over 30km into the sky, our Cloudview-2 mission consists of 3 main sections: the balloon and parachute, the shell and the payload. Our payload has been designed to fit into a 3U CubeSat standard format – the same format as Astraeus-01 – with some of the external components mounted on the shell – a polystyrene box insulating and shielding the payload from the elements. Some of the major components that Cloudview-2 will host will be:
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A semi-deployable antenna – This antenna module houses 4 measuring tape antennas, 2 of which will be deployed during the Cloudview-2 mission
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Custom made **,**,** PCBs
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A solar panel
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What ever the JetsonNano is doing (software)
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Specific camera (imaging)
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OBC
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All supported by the surrounding structural, thermal, ADCS and electrical systems
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Additionally, communication with Cloudview-2 will be established
▲ Estimated Path of Balloon
◀ Estimated Altitude Graph
Launch day
At 7am on the 17th of September 2023, the payload, attached to the helium balloon, was released. The system reached an altitude of 38km before the balloon popped and the operational platform was released, deploying its parachute. The operational platform, launched from Dalnaspidal, travelled North East, passing over the river Spey and the town of Aberlour, finally landing in the ward of Keith & Cullen where, the now honorary GU Orbit member, Colin, noticed CloudView in his field, contacted us and secured it until we could arrive to bring it home.