Failure to launch.

Where I am, we're heading into a long unbroken several months of shitty overcast/rainy weather. Today was an unexpectedly clear, sunny day so rather than wait to add all the bells and whistles to Skyhab, I attempted an early launch.

That's as full as it ever got. I severely underestimated the amount of helium necessary. I will need around 5 tanks to fill it to the point where it will lift skyhab. The tanks are $45 each. I don't have that kind of money to spend on something like this, and there haven't been any donations in over a year. Consequently, project Space Hams is indefinitely postponed and most likely cancelled. 

Camera mounted. Solar panels next.

Got the little camera on there. It's on one end of a counter weighted balsa wood truss. This way I can get footage of the habitat at altitude from about two feet away. Another down-facing camera will also be added to give a sense of height.

Next up, solar panels. I'll be using those little solar LED lights you pound into the dirt along a walkway that charge from sunlight during the day then power a little LED at night. A few of these will give skyhab interior lighting at night time. That should make for some neat exterior shots.

More to come.

Indoor testing