Pegasus HAB Project

• Have begun work on HAPS-1 which is a gumstix based payload focusing on getting some amazing pictures (after the blurry picture of Firefly), have finished the code for gps parser, log rotator and also cutdown scripts.
• 26/04/08 - Launched FHALP-3 from EARs at 1203 attached to two balloons (pre-Atlas test), the flight computer appeared to turn off shortly after launch though it was possible to track the balloons visually with a spotting scope for 30 mins and also hear the radio beacon which lasted for 25mins before stopping. However on landing the flight computer restarted allowing it to send coordinates via sms and we were able to recover FHALP-3 from a field east of Thetford. The camera worked for a large part of the flight and the pictures can be seen on flickr.
• FHALP-3 construction is making progress, have wired up the flight board with the radio and have sorted out the code. Am now waiting for the GPS module to arrive and also a new LiPo battery after the FHALP-2 battery tab broke off. Potential launch on the 26th April.
• FHALP-2 has been found (28/02/08)! It was found in the middle of a field in Cambridgeshire - The pictures have survived however appear to be blurry - More information soon.

The Pegasus High Altitude Balloon project is a UK based amateur student run project that involves launching payloads to “Near Space” (between an altitude of 60,000ft (20km) and 325,000ft (99km)). This is achieved through the use of helium weather balloons which are designed to burst at a certain height and then the payload returns to earth via parachute.

At present we have launched seven missions:

• Pegasus I reaching 66,000ft and being successfully reclaimed,
• Pegasus II which is at present missing (probably having landed in the North Sea.)
• Pegasus III which was successful.
• Pegasus V flew twice, the first flight was a sucess, the second landed in the sea just off the Norfolk Coast.

After the loss of Pegasus V the focus has shifted to Firefly using Telit GM862-GPS modules.

• FHALP-1, contact was lost after launch and is assumed to have landed in the North Sea
• FHALP-2 even though contact was lost at apogee was returned by a member of the public.
• FHALP-3 contact again was lost however on landing the flight computer restarted and the payload was recovered from a field in Norfolk.

Due to restrictions in the HAM licence in the UK the typical frequencies can not be used, instead we use GSM and also licence exempt frequencies mainly 434mhz at 10mW. The GSM doesn't work above about 3000ft however is extremely reliable once the payload has landed while the radio allows us to track the payload throughout the flight.

• Pegasus I
• Pegasus II
• Pegasus III
• Pegasus IV
• Pegasus V

Modular lightweight payload with simple GM862-GPS backup system (sms and morse radio) - allows for experimental payloads with the fallback tracker system. Once the basic system is complete and tested potential experiments include 2 way radio communications, video streaming, sunrise launches, etc.

• Overview
• FHALP-1
• FHALP-2
• FHALP-3
• Camera
• Code

• HAPS-1

• Gumstix Goliath

• The Unofficial Gumstix Bible
• Ideas
• Links
  • Mainly Breaking Things - my blog on non-balloon projects.