tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25976975736885381652024-03-05T07:32:39.215-08:00Space HamsOne giant leap for hamkind.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-17844693973612589582019-06-01T20:05:00.001-07:002019-06-01T20:05:04.932-07:00Wow I haven't updated this in 5 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />I flew a hamster! All the way up to 400 feet and then back safely to Earth. Only 5 years late. I have proper funding now though, so progress should be much more rapid going forward..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-18787135802926911852014-11-14T21:59:00.001-08:002014-11-14T21:59:33.449-08:00Hamster quadrotor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-28866562190720825462014-11-07T04:32:00.001-08:002014-11-07T04:49:38.140-08:00Beaten to the punch. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mouse in an RC plane:</div>
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-79778832694321334772014-09-11T03:40:00.002-07:002014-09-11T03:40:21.021-07:00I will not be using this method.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-74007635664569699342014-05-31T16:15:00.000-07:002014-05-31T16:16:45.867-07:0040 mousetronauts to live aboard ISS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7D7oLER6SeLp31nBMmBF8nQNxQ3CmzfVXcHgzpisK_YvOyQQcXT0BHVZ5FHdXlXpR5_2zF3mRsb6YfIKothhgbipNQjww5H4h1DZdS3lqKiew2VQXwF_bOxZnP3Kjqx6cG8dWV5ex1k/s1600/mousetronauts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7D7oLER6SeLp31nBMmBF8nQNxQ3CmzfVXcHgzpisK_YvOyQQcXT0BHVZ5FHdXlXpR5_2zF3mRsb6YfIKothhgbipNQjww5H4h1DZdS3lqKiew2VQXwF_bOxZnP3Kjqx6cG8dWV5ex1k/s1600/mousetronauts.jpg" height="385" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-37182051214123395842014-04-14T23:51:00.001-07:002014-04-14T23:51:59.136-07:00Do I even need a balloon?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">http://lifterproject.online.fr/orville/index.htm</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHMY-lijoGKnQk9IKIJtJwe7nbP8SViScCgTcJo9EZL9RJNhrKuTUdRIq85R5kkOda0uuYFpOVPVO-GcO5mqYXwZ2Xe2u9hqPpQz1Ge8emWlUhhP6_2tR9zPHEfxqJzCuKutJ3KzGa7Y/s1600/orville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHMY-lijoGKnQk9IKIJtJwe7nbP8SViScCgTcJo9EZL9RJNhrKuTUdRIq85R5kkOda0uuYFpOVPVO-GcO5mqYXwZ2Xe2u9hqPpQz1Ge8emWlUhhP6_2tR9zPHEfxqJzCuKutJ3KzGa7Y/s1600/orville.jpg" height="228" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />This guy built an ionic lifter from balsawood and tin foil that was able to levitate a small, padded enclosure with a mouse inside. This would have to be scaled up considerably to support the basics that a small hamster needs to be comfortable for any length of time (water will be the real challenge due to weight) but if upon doing the math the size turns out to be reasonable, this might be a way to avoid having to deal with large balloons and pressurized helium altogether. A thin wire would send power up to the lifter and also serve as the mooring line. This may turn out to be more expense and hassle than it's worth but the way I see it, if I wanted to fly this more than once, doing it this way would spare me the steep recurring cost of new helium..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-81463191132277887942014-01-29T18:25:00.002-08:002014-01-29T18:27:30.520-08:00A tribute to animal astronauts<iframe width="500" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/N-pGu7y8cJM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-61798976657414030322013-12-17T19:15:00.002-08:002013-12-17T19:17:48.615-08:00Rodent lab being sent to the ISS<a href="http://www.nature.com/news/nasa-s-chief-scientist-on-mars-moons-and-money-1.14350">http://www.nature.com/news/nasa-s-chief-scientist-on-mars-moons-and-money-1.14350</a><br />
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<i>"</i><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.90625px;"><i>Are we making the best case that the space station is a critical asset for this nation? Are we maximizing scientific research there to the best extent that we can? </i><b style="font-style: italic;">In spring we’ll be launching the first rodent laboratory up to the station</b><i>, and there will be a lot of exciting stuff going on."</i><br /><br />I think their project probably costs substantially more than mine though. Speaking of which one of you donated $20. Many thanks, that'll be put into the helium fund. I'll ultimately need nearly $500 for that but every little bit helps. </span>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-42199481779947807882013-11-07T14:54:00.003-08:002013-11-07T15:00:04.566-08:00Failure to launch.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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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.</div>
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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. </div>
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<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-36037849874362258872013-11-03T20:02:00.001-08:002013-11-03T20:02:25.024-08:00Camera 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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />More to come..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-14398613596328571252013-11-02T19:17:00.002-07:002013-11-02T19:17:20.862-07:00Indoor testing<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/U14pyeJYYIo" width="420"></iframe>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-15036938379944387012013-08-05T14:47:00.000-07:002013-11-03T20:04:15.054-08:00Launch soon.<a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_685919294"></span><span id="goog_685919295"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf07YmeeFjheCuDXN9ZGitBOtMubjy-rpPHElVvaZbmZv3BKf2skP5U4eurW0ul77EOHk1w2iZxdnZ9DiiYnwfwpyP_-2QA9jddErT-xS6PYc-rxx8m6Ld_TUhHw12jDyJdq9J9I8gFs/s1600/20130805_135339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsf07YmeeFjheCuDXN9ZGitBOtMubjy-rpPHElVvaZbmZv3BKf2skP5U4eurW0ul77EOHk1w2iZxdnZ9DiiYnwfwpyP_-2QA9jddErT-xS6PYc-rxx8m6Ld_TUhHw12jDyJdq9J9I8gFs/s400/20130805_135339.jpg" width="400" /> </a> </div>
Skyhab's basic structure has been complete for some time now. Laptop died, PC died, so no internet access except on phone. Waiting for fall so it won't be too warm in there. I have the lightest video cam I could find, for recording the flight from onboard Skyhab. Will be positioned at the end of a balsawood rod maybe 2 feet away, looking into skyhab from outside. This will afford the best possible view. .http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-39552919617721665352013-04-24T17:45:00.000-07:002013-04-24T18:04:43.284-07:00Bought the fishing line, and mooring info<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">220 feet of it with a 30lb stress rating. Will be purchasing tiny metal mooring connectors tomorrow that will allow the habitat to rotate in the wind without twisting the line.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">Also I came to a pretty obvious realization that unless it's a remarkably still day when I launch this balloon, it will never be directly overhead and the line will always be at an angle. So if I moor it the way I was planning to the entire habitat would be angled, creating an awkward situation for the occupants trying to navigate the interior.</span><br />
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The solution is to have the habitat hanging independently on its own line. Even if the balloon is directly overhead, provided a long enough line the habitat should hang more or less level. And assuming it is always at (at least a slight) angle from the weight holding the line down, this solution is much better and will keep the habitat level regardless of the balloon's movement..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-38651454654459967902013-03-14T18:33:00.002-07:002013-03-14T18:34:37.736-07:00Preparing to buy helium.Unless someone knows of a better deal than <a href="http://www.partycity.com/product/large+helium+tank.do?sortby=ourPicks&pp=60&size=all&navSet=110369">this</a>, I'll probably go ahead and make the purchase. This should be enough that even if I mess up while filling and let a lot of it escape there'll still be plenty remaining for a second or third try.<br /><br /><br />
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.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-66241614332273707052013-02-04T13:19:00.001-08:002013-02-04T13:44:15.593-08:00You're doin' it wrong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rip Skyfrog ;-;7 He was a hero and a real human bean</div>
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What kind of psychopath sends a frog into the troposphere without a climate conditioned life support capsule to meet his basic biological needs?<br />
<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-58033529010923227472013-01-30T11:30:00.000-08:002013-01-30T12:53:43.455-08:00Manned sky platform?Researching weather balloon prices led me to an interesting thought experiment. On a budget, could I put together something one person could live in comfortably, suspended from balloons? I had what I thought were modest plans for a spherical wooden/plastic cabin at first that, after weight and cost calculation, turned out to be fanciful and unrealistic.
Ultimately after cutting out the fat I got down to using a "Portaledge", basically a hanging tent designed for cliff climbers, as the living space. The whole thing, frame + rainfly, is only 15lbs. Add a sleeping bag, food and water and extra clothes as well as a small <a href="http://biolitestove.com/">thermoelectric wood fired portastove</a> for warmth and to power LED lights, and we'll assume that's 35lbs. Add my own weight, 180lbs, and add another 5lbs to guarantee positive buoyancy. That gives you a payload weight of 220lbs.
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Now for the balloons. I don't understand why, but balloons with a diameter of 7' are very reasonably priced at around $12 apiece, whereas any diameter above that and the prices quickly get into the hundreds of dollars per balloon. So, sticking with 7' diameter balloons with a net lifting capacity of 4lbs each, you're looking at 55 balloons, for around $700 after shipping.
Total cost after balloons, portaledge, supplies and helium would be about $2,000. Shockingly affordable for a campsite in the sky. Moor it at a low altitude within range of cell towers and you've got internet access on your phone/tablet, which can recharge from the stove, or run continuously from thin film solar mounted to the tent exterior for $200-$300 extra. Pretty cozy, right? Kicking back in your warm sleeping back, little stove hanging from the peak of the tent crackling and keeping the interior toasty, led lights for reading, browsing your favorite websites all of this at a thousand feet in the air. .http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-30763984754171670802013-01-15T04:45:00.000-08:002013-01-18T11:03:05.454-08:00Balloon purchased.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5jt3ESNtmqf4zH2ETGaymFJsQ7wweUub3FMzKRXpLddA56ejhGUxe0F8QzatdyfsKny17YkGV2sdzHt2UPN_UDpxGScAzhr4mJwaSZBtgDXgqlQO4q2a8zmgislnpyo8BKiTR-pStHw/s1600/balloon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5jt3ESNtmqf4zH2ETGaymFJsQ7wweUub3FMzKRXpLddA56ejhGUxe0F8QzatdyfsKny17YkGV2sdzHt2UPN_UDpxGScAzhr4mJwaSZBtgDXgqlQO4q2a8zmgislnpyo8BKiTR-pStHw/s400/balloon.JPG" /></a></div>
White, so it won't be too visible. 7 foot diameter as that's still excessive and I want to under-inflate it to insure against it bursting. It still has the lifting capacity that I can expand the base to 2 or 3 times current weight and it will still fly.
Watch this space.
.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-76003012082209942372013-01-01T21:00:00.002-08:002013-01-01T21:00:44.251-08:00I swear I had nothing to do with this.<iframe width="540" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0qST2EbH94E" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-77607312587587518262012-12-30T02:19:00.000-08:002012-12-30T02:19:09.127-08:00More Skystation progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpugWBwN4XWfAEJo-MiPRYWIDBMXKDmzBMVxekHMRbHm-UXvi7XKgjgpmv0BAD3hNumFpD14sfRotXjapdjghI9o2h-6GC3sFoiPpMV1fWGygAz3iKuMgMhZNoWmcES57p8E1JPnrs7E/s1600/skystationwip2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpugWBwN4XWfAEJo-MiPRYWIDBMXKDmzBMVxekHMRbHm-UXvi7XKgjgpmv0BAD3hNumFpD14sfRotXjapdjghI9o2h-6GC3sFoiPpMV1fWGygAz3iKuMgMhZNoWmcES57p8E1JPnrs7E/s640/skystationwip2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
All four sleeping modules are now added. I'm letting the hambros explore and get accustomed to the new layout for an hour or two before returning them to their much larger "land base". I'm pleased with the look of Skystation, it's really turning out well, has that "space station look" to it. Next up, adding the electronics, and rigging the supports w/fishing line in preparation for the balloon..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-15238553365368302332012-12-29T21:26:00.001-08:002012-12-29T21:36:05.763-08:00Sky Station WIP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ar5fh3j7FohxZnvjUtUYKGF4aHZwklwFTIBLWh22ezYubNt_s8BrzB-e-tMdTW4MegAAwVb-IG9Z4CcT-HK2wqBibNRC8ngqCRFdnIgjGr2sFxVfTVLsVaZlj6X7YqQ-bLAFOIgt3eM/s1600/skystationwip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ar5fh3j7FohxZnvjUtUYKGF4aHZwklwFTIBLWh22ezYubNt_s8BrzB-e-tMdTW4MegAAwVb-IG9Z4CcT-HK2wqBibNRC8ngqCRFdnIgjGr2sFxVfTVLsVaZlj6X7YqQ-bLAFOIgt3eM/s640/skystationwip.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Here's what I put together last night. Not much so far, but you can see by the base, those are the four cylindrical living modules I plan to mount radially around the outer wall of the top level. Somewhat modest, but this is just the Mk1. I've discovered from weighing what's built so far that it all weighs much less than I assumed it would. I've found a $34 latex weather balloon (incl. shipping) 8 foot diameter on eBay that will lift 7lbs and the skystation as-is doesn't quite reach 1lb. This means future skystations may be considerably larger and better equipped. For now, I'm content to build this small "outpost in the sky" to test the idea for feasibility, before committing to anything grander in scope.</div>
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<br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-11645928312289761922012-12-29T03:44:00.004-08:002012-12-29T03:59:39.244-08:00Skystation construction has begun.In anticipation of warmer weather to come, I've begun building the Skystation in earnest. The two vertically oriented modules with climbing tube and water bottle are complete. Yet to be added are the cylindrical modules jutting off the upper section. I am leaving out the lead acid battery as mentioned in the last post, power will be sent from the ground or from a much smaller/lighter onboard lithium battery instead, lower module will be used for bulk food storage.<br />
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Pictures soon..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-3666891140054815582012-06-05T21:21:00.001-07:002012-06-05T21:21:05.584-07:00Rethinking skystation designHaving measured night time temps outside I've concluded that for use during summer no heater is needed, and LED lights consume so little power I can run them from a small usb lithium battery pack for many days. So including a lead acid battery is unnecessary.<br /><br />This frees up weight for additional living space, which I have concluded based on experience with the underwater habitats should be large enough for a running wheel. The existing design is not. I still want it to have multiple levels and be very three dimensional in layout but the central chamber will have to be some type of container I've not found yet which can accommodate the same type of running saucer as Hambase Alpha.<br /><br />Warmth won't be an issue; The silical gel will keep down humidity, and as hamsters were originally desert dwellers, the warm, dry conditions inside during the day will be comfortable. At night, temps won't become uncomfortably low as established by repeat measuement, so ample bedding fluff ought to be sufficient.<br /><br />This does mean the design will be somewhat simpler. But a skystation just doesn't need to be as sophisticated as an underwater hab. Cutting down on the gadgetry means I can make the station larger, which will be cooler and make for more spacious living conditions for the hamsternauts..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-3532119259668855442012-04-18T23:13:00.002-07:002012-04-18T23:13:35.602-07:00Initial skystation design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtXLQl6dGb3pg8R6Pvm22TYUurUDbrohLsqfhSqCj6wQreKfWB5mLIdhfmKKIlmCVNrFfHHWm_ZnXMxM1KKfxbGuO0EwSdlL9hhCM7DqYO0bFjU3F5UOAs5RcoSbcxvpgv6Hktx33qrs/s1600/hamstation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVtXLQl6dGb3pg8R6Pvm22TYUurUDbrohLsqfhSqCj6wQreKfWB5mLIdhfmKKIlmCVNrFfHHWm_ZnXMxM1KKfxbGuO0EwSdlL9hhCM7DqYO0bFjU3F5UOAs5RcoSbcxvpgv6Hktx33qrs/s320/hamstation.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I decided it might be too lazy just to buy a cool space stationy looking habitrail cage and suspend it from a balloon. So here's a Skystation Mk1 design based on a recent Hampture habitat I liked.I have more of the same peices and building one that doesn't need to be watertight will be even easier.<br /><br />As you can see it will be using a rather heavy lead acid battery for power. This is necessary because custom lithium battery packs are a lot harder to make, safely charge and so on. If it's small (like a motorcycle stater battery) it shouldn't weigh too much. The weather balloon I have my eye on lifts 7 pounds. The completed station should weigh nearly that much so the upward pull doesn't strain the station or fishing line.<br /><br />The solar fan cools during the day, counteracting the battery heated floor. Then at night (because it is solar powered) it shuts off, allowing the heated floor to do what it's there for. I am contemplating some kind of light sensor that will prevent the heated floor and LED lights from staying on during the day, to save power. Also possibly solar panels mounted on the ends of dual trusses, to charge the battery. But weight is an issue here, the battery is aleady a bit much, the solar panels might put it over the top.<br /><br /><br />.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-19197450376533099022012-02-17T01:55:00.001-08:002012-02-17T01:55:20.979-08:00Nixing the rocket?Giving serious thought to nixing the rocket portion of this project based on concerns voiced by commenters. If you tell me to lose that portion of this project I will. I'd make it up by having some other cool element, like maybe using a quadrotor to do aerial footage of the station at full height or something. Thoughts?.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2597697573688538165.post-34987704782531171902011-09-07T19:51:00.001-07:002011-09-07T19:56:04.825-07:00The rocket's been complete for a while nowHere's a photo:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-CGPgSk9-7PdwtEhRhd2GfyE5jIp5eKTbrZk-qJYrCmpAShD2Zb99KkhKOWHW0qJow85BCRNKjYqJ93oVbctgh_-7XsAyEvOTPMnhEvyMStB1fjtaQqstTNJUgxs6cT2EknqQNw3ch0/s1600/hamrocket.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-CGPgSk9-7PdwtEhRhd2GfyE5jIp5eKTbrZk-qJYrCmpAShD2Zb99KkhKOWHW0qJow85BCRNKjYqJ93oVbctgh_-7XsAyEvOTPMnhEvyMStB1fjtaQqstTNJUgxs6cT2EknqQNw3ch0/s400/hamrocket.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649816195255082290" /></a><br />What took so long? Well, I've been busy with other things and sporadically ordering all the other stuff needed to launch a rocket. Launchpad, control box, spare engines, the little video recorder, that sort of thing. Rest assured, the first test launch is approaching. Provided all goes well I'd like to upgrade to a two or even three stage rocket..http://www.blogger.com/profile/12127308959156527284noreply@blogger.com6