Balloon flight B-5, 11 July 2013

Experimental flight to test pressure and temperature sensors, night power saving mode and solar panel assisted operation.

One of the temperature/pressure sensors has been inserted inside the balloon through a valve.

Mylar blanket on top of UHF radials reflects extra sunlight onto solar panel and shields external temperature sensor from being heated by direct radiation from the Sun.

Flight was reasonably successful. Solar panel has not been securely attached as it was an aftertough part of the design. It stopped providing power at about 06:45 UTC probably due to damage in severely turbulent air.

Solar radiation after the sunrise at 04:00 UTC increased Helium temperature by 9C and increased internal pressure by 2.3kPa.

Night mode worked well but caused slight frequency drift of the UHF transmitter due to the fact that precision timing reference is not available while GPS is switched off.


Payload weight - 14 grams.
Free lift - 1.4 grams.
Downlink mode - DominoEX 16
Launch time 19:00 local time (18:00 UTC)


Flight log

Flight path:

Altitude in metres: