Changes

'''SSI-86''' (project designation '''CY-2'''; also called ''BalBal'') was the second launch of [[Cycloon|Project Cycloon]] on May 18, 2019. It featured a legacy ballast mechanism from ValBal operated by Cycloon avionics and thus marked the beginning of ''#cy-flops'', or ''Cycloon flight operations''. The mission was noted for its low-altitude profile, interaction with inclement weather, pentagram traced out by RockBlock coordinates, and most remarkably, resumption of flight a full 24 hours after presumed flight termination, the only such occurrence in SSI history.

'''SSI-86''' (project designation '''CY-2'''; also called ''BalBal'') was the second launch of [[Cycloon|Project Cycloon]] on May 18, 2019. It featured a legacy ballast mechanism from ValBal operated by Cycloon avionics and thus marked the beginning of ''#cy-flops'', or ''Cycloon flight operations''. The mission was noted for its low-altitude profile, interaction with inclement weather, pentagram traced out by RockBlock coordinates, and most remarkably, resumption of flight a full 24 hours after presumed flight termination, the only such occurrence in SSI history.

==Pre-Launch==

==Project context==

After the lessons learned of [[SSI-83|CY-1]], a plan for the remainder of the year was decided upon on April 21. First, due to the avionics issues of CY-1, it was envisioned that a marine tether profile launch would be reattempted in early May. Because it was decided that a grounded tether would be a more suitable means of testing endurance, the requirement on launch windows became much less stringent. Then, on May 11, there was to be a HF communications test module as a payload on a ValBal. Finally, on June 4 there would be a fully altitude-controlled flight using the ValBal ballast mechanism, Apex Vent, and Cycloon avionics.

After the lessons learned of [[SSI-83|CY-1]], a plan for the remainder of the year was decided upon on April 21. First, due to the avionics issues of CY-1, it was envisioned that a marine tether profile launch would be reattempted in early May. Because it was decided that a grounded tether would be a more suitable means of testing endurance, the requirement on launch windows became much less stringent. Then, on May 11, there was to be a HF communications test module as a payload on a ValBal. Finally, on June 4 there would be a fully altitude-controlled flight using the ValBal ballast mechanism, Apex Vent, and Cycloon avionics.