NC Near Space Research launched NSL-14 on Saturday, August 17, 2013 around noon from the Burlington Mini Maker Faire.  The team hosted a table at the Maker Faire and conducted a public launch. After launch, some staffed the table while others in the team chased.

Balloon filling equipment shown at the table.

A very rainy launch just outside of the mall (site of the Maker Faire). Image from the onboard camera just after launch

Chris and Lucas watching the tracking data come in

Spectator’s launch video

The soaked balloon did not fair well in the low temperatures of the lower stratosphere. It burst early at under 21km.

The payload ended up landing in tall trees in a forest. The chase team contemplated what to do about it.

Several unusual methods were tried to recover the payload. A set of party balloons were sent up with a grappling hook. Eventually a series of PVC pipes were lashed together and lifted up with a grappling hook. This eventually snagged the payload for full recovery!