Changes

== Public Page ==

== Public Page ==

The public page of HABMC shows the position and altitude of the balloon, as provided by the ValBal communications system. This allows us to provide detailed information to the FAA and other viewers without overwhelming them with a vast quantity of potentially misleading data.

The public page of HABMC shows the position and altitude of the balloon, as provided by the ValBal communications system. This allows us to provide detailed information to the FAA and other viewers without overwhelming them with a vast quantity of potentially misleading data.

== SSI Interface ==

== SSI Interface ==

=== Dashboard ===

=== Dashboard ===

The dashboard provides a quick overview of the flight. Fully customizable for each payload, it displays a series of graphs to understand recent trends, underneath which is a map of the flight and charts detailing remaining quantities such as battery and ballast. Below the map lies a table of the configuration on the payload itself that gives exact numbers about how the payload is set to behave.

The dashboard provides a quick overview of the flight. Fully customizable for each payload, it displays a series of graphs to understand recent trends, underneath which is a map of the flight and charts detailing remaining quantities such as battery and ballast. Below the map lies a table of the configuration on the payload itself that gives exact numbers about how the payload is set to behave.

=== Maps, Charts, & Graphs ===

=== Maps, Charts, & Graphs ===

We often want finer control over how we delve into and analyze the data. To that end, we built the charts utility, capable of graphing an arbitrary number of variables against each other. The user may zoom into the data by time period, or look at the whole mission.

We often want finer control over how we delve into and analyze the data. To that end, we built the charts utility, capable of graphing an arbitrary number of variables against each other. The user may zoom into the data by time period, or look at the whole mission.

Naturally, to see position data we have maps as well. On most flights we have three redundant positioning systems: a primary GPS baked into the board, an external GPS, and position estimates given by the Iridium satellite network. Each of these systems has their own foibles; for example, HABMC is capable of filtering out erroneous Iridium position estimates and displaying error bounds on the map itself.

Naturally, to see position data we have maps as well. On most flights we have three redundant positioning systems: a primary GPS baked into the board, an external GPS, and position estimates given by the Iridium satellite network. Each of these systems has their own foibles; for example, HABMC is capable of filtering out erroneous Iridium position estimates and displaying error bounds on the map itself.

=== Prediction & Footprint Calculator ===

=== Prediction & Footprint Calculator ===

We almost always want to know where the balloon will go. To that end, we have a full predictor utility. Although it currently relies on the GFS weather model, it’s designed to be compatible with the more-accurate ECMWF model should we gain access. The predictor, written from the group up in Rust, takes this data and turns it into real predictions.  

We almost always want to know where the balloon will go. To that end, we have a full predictor utility. Although it currently relies on the GFS weather model, it’s designed to be compatible with the more-accurate ECMWF model should we gain access. The predictor, written from the group up in Rust, takes this data and turns it into real predictions.  

Of course, there are a lot of uncertainties when it comes to prediction, such as descent rate and burst altitude. Thus, when we want to know where the payload will land, we use HABMC’s footprint calculator. This system generates a probability distribution about where the balloon will ultimately come down.

Of course, there are a lot of uncertainties when it comes to prediction, such as descent rate and burst altitude. Thus, when we want to know where the payload will land, we use HABMC’s footprint calculator. This system generates a probability distribution about where the balloon will ultimately come down.

=== Navigation ===

=== Navigation ===

One of the core features of our novel altitude stabilization platform, ValBal, is that it’s capable of flying at whatever altitude we tell it to, and adjusting that altitude mid-flight. Since there are different wind patterns at different altitudes, by strategically adjusting altitudes the balloon can optimize ground distance or even aim for a specific location. For example, the balloon might fly at 13km to travel west, then ascend to 15km briefly to steer north toward its final destination.

One of the core features of our novel altitude stabilization platform, ValBal, is that it’s capable of flying at whatever altitude we tell it to, and adjusting that altitude mid-flight. Since there are different wind patterns at different altitudes, by strategically adjusting altitudes the balloon can optimize ground distance or even aim for a specific location. For example, the balloon might fly at 13km to travel west, then ascend to 15km briefly to steer north toward its final destination.

In this screenshot, the naive option of flying at the single altitude with the fastest winds is shown in blue; active guidance is shown in green. In the same total flight time, with active guidance the balloon can fly over twice as far.  

In this screenshot, the naive option of flying at the single altitude with the fastest winds is shown in blue; active guidance is shown in green. In the same total flight time, with active guidance the balloon can fly over twice as far.  

=== Livestreaming ===

=== Livestreaming ===

Sending live video down through SSTV can be displayed on HABMC as well. Piping the data through ffmpeg on the client to Youtube Live lets us maintain maximum compatibility with inputs and deliver the video at maximum spee

Sending live video down through SSTV can be displayed on HABMC as well. Piping the data through ffmpeg on the client to Youtube Live lets us maintain maximum compatibility with inputs and deliver the video at maximum spee

=== High-bandwidth radio backend ===

=== High-bandwidth radio backend ===

Capable of storing data and delivering high-bandwidth transmissions as fast as the database can handle, the radio code turns HABMC into a truly real time control suite. With the system in place, it can display the data from multiple transmissions per second.  

Capable of storing data and delivering high-bandwidth transmissions as fast as the database can handle, the radio code turns HABMC into a truly real time control suite. With the system in place, it can display the data from multiple transmissions per second.  

== Technical Facts ==

== Technical Facts ==