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| launch site = 2093 San Juan Drive, Hollister, CA
| launch site = 2093 San Juan Drive, Hollister, CA
| launch coordinates = 36.84842,-121.43236
| launch coordinates = 36.84842,-121.43236
| flight duration = ??
| flight duration = 1 hour, 55 minutes
| landing date = October 22, 2016
| landing date = October 22, 2016
| landing coordinates = 37.597, -120.34868
| landing coordinates = 37.597, -120.34868
[[File:PayloadDiagram.jpeg|350px|thumb|left|Schematic of Payload Design]][[File:PayloadPic.jpeg|200px|thumb|left|The Payload Immediately Prior to Launch]]
[[File:PayloadDiagram.jpeg|350px|thumb|left|Schematic of Payload Design]][[File:PayloadPic.jpeg|200px|thumb|left|The Payload Immediately Prior to Launch]]
The payload consisted on one box made of two vertically conjoined boxes. Secured to the bottom with zip-ties was a selfie stick holding a convex mirror out in front of the GoPro (embedded in the side), and balanced with dope-ass Zeus flag. The box itself was adorned with Kirill's, Aria's, and Brandon's faces, along with SSI stickers, the American flag, and gold and space duct tape. A plastic bin on the bottom was filled with slips of paper with Kirill's face, name, and number, then secured with a string designed to be cut with a Nichrome wire at a designated altitude. A keychain camera wrapped in hand warmers and duct tape was secured to the base of payload to get a birds-eye view of the Earth.
The payload consisted on one box made of two vertically conjoined boxes. Secured to the bottom with zip-ties was a selfie stick holding a convex mirror out in front of the GoPro (embedded in the side), and balanced with dope-ass Zeus flag. The box itself was adorned with Kirill's, Aria's, and Brandon's faces, along with SSI stickers, the American flag, and gold and space duct tape. A plastic bin on the bottom was filled with slips of paper with Kirill's face, name, and number, then secured with a string designed to be cut with a Nichrome wire at a designated altitude. A keychain camera wrapped in hand warmers and duct tape was secured to the base of payload to get a birds-eye view of the Earth.
The payload was tied to the bottom of a laser cut acrylic parachute release mechanism, which was then clamped around the parachute and tied to the balloon. It was a scissor-like construction designed to release both parachute and balloon when the balloon popped and the lack of tension allowed the assembly to open. The payload also included customary sensors, avionics, and communications.[[File:ParachuteRelease.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|Parachute Release Mechanism]]
The payload was tied to the bottom of a laser cut acrylic parachute release mechanism, which was then clamped around the parachute and tied to the balloon. It was a scissor-like construction designed to release both the parachute and balloon when the balloon popped and the lack of tension allowed the assembly to open. The payload also included customary sensors, avionics, and communications.[[File:ParachuteRelease.jpeg|200px|thumb|right|Parachute Release Mechanism]]
==Preperation and difficulties==
==Preperation and difficulties==
Although team Zeus endeavored valiently the previous night to get everything working so the payload would be ready to launch upon arrival, some innevitable difficulties arose. First, the SPOT wouldn't connect to the satellites. Once that was resolved, the GPS connected to the Ardunio wouldn't connect. It's signal was most likely blocked by the metal ring of the gimbal. The connection issue was resolved by removing the gimbal, allowing the GPS to get a lock, then replacing it.
Although team Zeus endeavored valiantly the previous night to get everything working so the payload would be ready to launch upon arrival, some inevitable difficulties arose. First, the SPOT wouldn't connect to the satellites. Once that was resolved, the GPS connected to the Arduino wouldn't connect. Its signal was most likely blocked by the metal ring of the gimbal. The connection issue was resolved by removing the gimbal, allowing the GPS to get a lock, then replacing it.
During initial testing, the Nichrome wire accidentally turned on, severing the string holding the plastic box on the bottom in place, releasing the papers with Kirill's contact information. The error in the code was resolved and the wire was reset.
During initial testing, the Nichrome wire accidentally turned on, severing the string holding the plastic box on the bottom in place, releasing the papers with Kirill's contact information. The error in the code was resolved and the wire was reset.
During the sealing of the payload, the thermocouple was inadvertently encased in duct tape, producing anomalous external temperature data. Additionally, the GoPro was set to picture mode, so it took one picture every second instead of recording video :/
During the sealing of the payload, the thermocouple was inadvertently encased in duct tape, producing anomalous external temperature data. Additionally, the GoPro was set to picture mode, so it took one picture every second instead of recording video :/
At first it seemed that the loop on top of parachute was too big, as it got caught on the release mechanism. This was fixed with a zip-tie very rapidly before launch. The balloon was relased at around noon after securing the payload to the balloon with a very extensive, very sketch knot. All knots were duct taped over many times.
At first, it seemed that the loop on top of the parachute was too big, as it got caught on the release mechanism. This was fixed with a zip-tie very rapidly before launch. The balloon was released at around noon after securing the payload to the balloon with a very extensive, very sketch knot. All knots were duct taped over many times.
==Flight==
==Flight==
The balloon traveled from it's origin at 2093 San Juan Drive, Hollister, CA, approximately north-east. It was airborne for __ hours and traversed __ miles during that time. Eventually, it landed north of Modesto, near Yosemite in LaGrange, California. The final resting place happened to be 2.5 miles off the main road on a cattle ranch. This would prove to be a difficulty.
The balloon traveled from its origin at 2093 San Juan Drive, Hollister, CA, approximately north-east. It was airborne for about 2 hours and traversed __ miles during that time. Eventually, it landed north of Modesto, near Yosemite in LaGrange, California. The final resting place happened to be 2.5 miles off the main road on a cattle ranch. This would prove to be a difficulty.
[[File:ZeusBalloonView.JPG|350px|thumb|left|GoPro View on Balloon Ascent]]
[[File:ZeusBalloonView.JPG|350px|thumb|left|GoPro View on Balloon Ascent]]