Day 4 (Thursday) Successful Retrieval

Today we successfully retrieved our 2nd Balloon from Rochester NH. We then reviewed the footage from the cameras and began using it to create our presentation and video.

Day 3 & Day 4: Succesful Recovery!

The second group spent the morning (Wednesday) assembling the second payload box. While assembling the payload, we made sure to minimize the imprecision in order to ensure a perfect launch. With a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, the group left New Hampton around 1:30 pm and drove 20min to our second launching site in Rumney, NH.

Unlike our first launch, our second launch was a complete success. Our high altitude balloon easily took off. The balloon was in the air for approximately 2 hours and we were able to track it all the way until its fall around 4:30pm in Rochester NH. The wind prevented the fall in the predicted location in Alton NH. We received a call regarding the exact location of the balloon at 5:27pm.

Seven members of the team drove down to Rochester this morning (Thursday) and came back to New Hampton School in possession of the payload box while others worked on both cleaning our work space and reflecting on how we will present our project during the symposium. We spent the first part of the afternoon watching footage from the successful flight of HAB16 v2.

 
Route Flighted

Day #3: A Learning Experience

The first group got together at 3:30am and put together a checklist to ensure that we had everything we needed for the first launch. With a lot of excitement and enthusiasm, the group left New Hampton around 3:50 am and drove two hours to the launching site at the Northfield Golf Course in Vermont.

The actual launch was not as successful as the launch test for a of couple reasons:

1. We did not have enough helium to inflate the balloon as we would have liked. As a result we were forced to remove the New Hampton teddy bear attached to the payload box to lessen the weight with the hope that the balloon would take off. Our high altitude balloon slowly and painfully took off. Again, we just hope that the balloon will get to an altitude in which air pressure will ensure a total inflation. 
2. The fact that we have yet to receive a signal from the tracking device in the payload box prevents us from knowing the direction the balloon took. Even though we still hope to retrieve the balloon, it will be highly improbable without the tracking signal. Since our prediction was to retrieve the balloon in a location around New Hampton, we hope that someone finds it and contacts us. 

We wish luck to our second group and hope that we will be able to minimize the imprecision which prevented a perfect launch this morning.

Day #2: Successful Launch Test

The crew worked very hard putting together the first balloon to be launched. While assembling the payload box, we've ensured the cameras, weather device, and tracker's functionalities. The high altitude balloon launch test was a total success.

Day #2 (Tuesday) Work in Progress

On our second day, our tag line included the following:

• Learn, activate, and test tracker
• Configure and test dataloggers
• Configure payloads (cameras and other devices) and construct the payload box
• Edit/create video
• Identify the balloon launch locations and other parameters including maps, times (schedule and teams), weather forecast (to print)
• Call FAA with schedule launches
• Construct vehicle assembly 

Even though it is a work in progress, we were able to complete all of the points on our list and we've felt very confident prior to the launch test.

High Altitude Balloon is Getting Started!

We are in the early stages of the High Altitude Balloon Project. The groups have been decided and are each working on their given tasks. The introduction is done and planning is the highest priority right now. Everybody is enthusiastic and eager to work.

2015 Space Odyssey

The first day of work entailed the creation of a master plan to launch a high altitude balloon into the atmosphere. The students split into 3 groups, each having their own jobs. Immediately the Husky High Altitude Balloon (HHAB) group starting working hard and making huge strides to complete a successful launch. Towards the end of a well spent day, the group came together and organized our goals. One of these goals was to catch the sunrise/sunset from the balloon's cameras. In conclusion, the group is prepared to work hard and display their new found knowledge.

HHAB FOUND!!!  Fay received a call this afternoon from a lobster man saying he had found the balloon. It was still all intact, balloon and all camera's. It was found 20 miles off the coast of Kennebunk, ME. I spoke with the gentleman this evening and have made arrangements to pick up the balloon tomorrow. Stay tuned for more information tomorrow.

Siberian Husky Lost At Sea

The Siberian Husky Hot Air Balloon still remains lost at sea. The last transmission signal was received at 5:46 am today (Longitude -70.08795 and Latitude 43.444) approximately 10 miles East of Biddeford, ME. Calls were made to the US Coast Guard asking for their help. An email was sent to television station WCSH in Portland ME asking their listeners to be on the lookout for the balloon. We even tried calling the local fisherman's association to help retrieve the lost balloon. We believe the box has taken on water and is perhaps gone forever. We may never know what lies within the cameras and video.

With the group just waiting on a phone call, we all headed down to Concord to visit the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, New England's premier air and space center. Here the students were able to walk freely around the center and take in the interactive exhibits on aviation and astronomy. The group watched and listened to a presentation entitled "Tonight's Sky" in their 360 degree theater. The narrator, a teacher from St.Pauls School, gave a 45 minute talk on what to expect to see in the sky and how you can identify the different planets, moons and the many constellations.

The HHAB will now prepare for our presentation at Saturday's Symposium. We encourage you to attend and ask questions to the group.

Launch Pictures!

Siberian Husky Launched!

The Siberian Husky was launched at 10:20 am. We were able to launch under perfect conditions. The perfect blue sky, a little cold temperature (10 degrees), and a light breeze (2 miles per hour) will make it possible to have a wonderful view over America (visibility around 10 miles) if we are able to retrieve the Balloon. Unfortunately, we are having some technical difficulties with the GPS system and might not be able to retrieve the balloon. We all hope that these difficulties will be resolved soon. A tweet has gone out for helping out on the search. Look out for a blue and lime green parachute and/or a yellow payload.

Siberian Husky is Launching NOW!!!

The launch of Siberian Husky is happening in less than 5 minutes. We will launch from the flagpole. You are more then welcome to watch the launch.

UPDATE from The Group From Outer Space

Due to technical difficulties, we are running half an hour late. We are very sorry for the inconvenience.

Track the Siberian Husky! #nhsHHAB

Here's a live feed of where we are!
If you can't see the embedded web page, click here!

Launch of the Siberian Husky

WE ARE READY!!! The Siberian Husky, equipped with four cameras, will launch into space today. The launch is only 21 minutes away. Come out if you want to see a giant balloon go up to 100,000 feet. We will keep you updated about where the balloon is on our twitter page.

The Group From Outer Space

After the minor setbacks this morning, our final balloon is back on track. It will launch tomorrow morning. In this moment the final camera angles are installed and the final setup is decided. So far we are on track and will be on time to launch tomorrow. We will inform you about the location and any changes made later this day. Make sure to look at our twitter page.

Minor Setback For The Group From Outer Space

First off, our usual blogger is MIA, so we have our best tweeter on the job. Due to the light snow this morning, we made the call not to send off the balloon, and so an updated countdown is on this post.

Today is a final preparations day. We're triple checking EVERYTHING, and making sure our payload box, which will be filming 4 different angles on our near 100,000 foot ascent, is secure and ready to go. Our ten-man team and two supervisor crew is nearly ready to hit the edge of space!

The Media & Design team is finishing off what they can of the film before the launch for your enjoyment on Saturday. The official launch date is tomorrow, Thursday, March 6th, at 9:00am, from a still undetermined place. T-minus 21 and a half hours left! Wish us luck! (

Make sure to follow our Twitter for a lot of mini updates!


Countdown Clocks

Codename: Labrador Husky

Labrador Husky In The Air Again

You might have been able to see Labrador Husky fight in the cold air again. Our attempt was to put another camera on it, but unfortunately it was too heavy for Labrador Husky. Siberian Husky, however, will be 5 times as big and will carry two more cameras. Again, the pictures are in process and will be posted later. Here are some pictures from Labrador Husky on the ground. Don't forget to follow us on twitter.

Success for The Group From Outer Space

The Labrador Husky successfully launched up to at least 350 feet. Pictures of the attached camera will follow since they are still getting processed. It will, however, have a few beautiful pictures of the whole campus. Labrador Husky had to fight against temperatures of around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, and wind speeds of up to 2 miles per hour. Perfect conditions for a Husky. Don't forget to follow us on twitter.