SSI-87

Revision as of 08:40, 21 October 2019 by Bjing (talk | contribs)
SSI-87
Designations CY-3
Launch date June 1, 2019, 10:20 PDT
Launch site Le Grand Elementary School, Le Grand, CA
Launch coordinates 37.226, -120.251
Flight profile Ballast and vent control
←SSI-87 SSI Balloon Launches SSI-90→


SSI-87 (project designation CY-3) was the third launch of Project Cycloon on June 1, 2019. It featured a legacy ballast and vent mechanism from ValBal operated by Cycloon avionics and was the first such fully controlled Cycloon flight. The mission was noted for its eventful manual equilibration, early termination, and for being the last latex Cycloon before the project transitioned to polyethylene. The payload was recovered the afternoon of the launch.

The bulk of the avionics work for the two payloads was completed on May 27, followed by demonstration of vent control on May 29. As winds forecasts for favorable for a float-drop profile, a floater was confirmed for the final configuration. The bulk of the mechanics work occurred on May 29, though due to a lack of spare mechanics the second payload was cancelled. Finally, substantial system integration occurred on May 31.

Project context

Before and around the time of the previous flight, CY-2, a reevaluation of project goals for the quarter had been underway. While a full apex vent equipped flight had originally been envisioned for the weekend of June 2, delays on the project prompted a decision to focus more on quick iterations and numerous launches rather than awaiting longer term initiatives. In particular, it was decided that a legacy ValBal vent mechanism, while unlikely to suffice as a long-term solution, was sufficient and necessary for building altitude control expertise within Cycloon in the short term. Therefore, on May 19, the day after CY-2, it was decided that two payloads would be launched on June 1, alongside Spaceshot and onboarding, each with ballast, vent, and (winds permitting) tether and floater mechanism.

The bulk of the avionics work for the two payloads occurred on May 27, and first demonstration of vent motor control was achieved on May 29. The bulk of the mechanics work occurred that same day, although due to a lack of spare mechanics the second payload was cancelled. Due to favorable wind forecasts, a floater was confirmed. Substantial mechanical integration was finalized on May 31, the day before the launch.

Configuration

Flight synopsis

Balloon Launches
2014-15 SSI-19202122
2015-16 SSI-23(a) • 2425262728293031323334353637383940414243
2016-17 444546474849505152
2017-18
2018-19 8386879091
2019-20 929397
VE