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'''SSI-97''' (project designation '''CY-8''') was the seventh launch of [[Cycloon|Project Cycloon]] on November 17, 2019. Not a true launch, it was instead a series of ground tests of various properties of polyethylene tubing envelopes and the newly designed Cycloon vent mechanism. It was also the first return of Cycloon to Pigeon Point since the first launch.
'''SSI-97''' (project designation '''CY-8''') was the seventh launch of [[Cycloon|Project Cycloon]] on November 17, 2019. Not a true launch, it was instead a series of ground tests of various properties of polyethylene tubing envelopes and the newly designed Cycloon vent mechanism. It was also the first return of Cycloon to Pigeon Point since the first launch, [[SSI-83]].
==Project context==
==Project context==
The original launch schedule for the quarter had called for a second altitude controlled flight in mid-November after a first test in October, [[SSI-93]]. When that first test became a ballast-only flight, the November flight would have been the first altitude-controlled flight. However, the outcome of SSI-93 demonstrated that Cycloon needed a better understanding of zero pressure balloons, a more rigorous pre-launch procedure, checklists, and better balloon envelope quality control. Thus, it was decided to conduct a series of ground tests for that purpose. Additionally, as the first version of a Cycloon vent mechanism was approaching completion, it was decided to test this mechanism on a ZPB envelope. Initially scheduled for '''November 16''', the tests were pushed back one day to accommodate schedules.
The simple avionics for these tests were constructed on November 8, followed by the balloons on November 14. A working version of the vent was also produced by that date, and operational vent control was achieved and tested over RockBlock on that day. A final integration session installed the vent on November 16.
The chief goals of these tests were to determine the mass capacity of the ZPB envelope, test the envelope at full volumetric strain, and obtain a rough estimate of vent rate. For details, please see the appropriate document in the Cycloon Google drive.
==Configuration==
==Configuration==