Balloon Satellite
May 15, 2004
FASTRAC team
A high altitude balloon launch is planned for the near future from the National Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine, Texas. The purpose of the launch is to test the FASTRAC satellite communications and GPS system.
The balloon is estimated to remain aloft for a period of 90 minutes during which time it will reach an altitude of 100,000ft and will travel a distance between 40 and 90 miles from the launch site.
The balloon payload will consist of an Orion GPS receiver, a Hamtronics TA-451-HS transmitter, a Hamtronics R-100 receiver, a Kantronics KPC-9612 terminal node controller, and an Atmel AVR microprocessor driven command and data handling system. This system will transmit data on a frequency of 435.380MHz, at 2 Watts and at a data rate of 1200bps. The data will contain raw data from the GPS interspersed with the coordinates of the balloon.
Additionally the balloon will be equipped with an APRS beacon transmitting every thirty seconds on a frequency of 144.34MHz at 0.5 Watts. The beacon consists of a Motorola Encore GPS relaying data to an Alinco CJ-5T transceiver via a Tiny Track TNC.
The balloon team is actively seeking involvement from the amateur radio community. Volunteers willing to help gather data, track the balloon and aid in its launch and recovery are invited to contact Tena Wang at 471-5144 or email twang@mail.utexas.edu.
News Archive
June 26, 2008 - FASTRAC Satellites Get Updated Software, New Antennas by Stephen Clark
March 8, 2008 - FASTRAC Satellites to Set Up and Ship Out! by Eric Hagen
August 27, 2006 - Satellites Undergoing Testing at AFRL by Glenn Lightsey
June 25, 2006 - FASTRAC Satellites Leave Texas by Greg Holt
June 14, 2006 - FASTRAC Frequency Request Submitted by Glenn Lightsey
December 15, 2005 - FASTRAC Mission Receives Critical D.O.D. Ranking for Launch by Jamin Greenbaum
April 20, 2005 - FASTRAC Personnel Changes by Glenn Lightsey
January 11, 2005 - FASTRAC Victorious, Headed to Space! by Glenn Lightsey
January 7, 2005 - FASTRAC Headed to Nevada for Competition by Glenn Lightsey
January 3, 2005 - FASTRAC Satellite Completes Thermal/Vacuum Test by Glenn Lightsey
December 19, 2004 - Satellite Integration Nears Completion by Glenn Lightsey
December 7, 2004 - FASTRAC Thermal Vac Testing Progresses by Greg Holt
November 28, 2004 - Solar Cells See Sunlight by Greg Holt
July 27, 2004 - FASTRAC Separation Test aboard KC-135 a Success! by FASTRAC team
May 15, 2004 - Balloon Satellite by FASTRAC team