July 14, 2024; Matthew, Sarah, and Paul L. met up with the group from NSL-93 at Lake Wheeler Park, south of Raleigh. This was another flight to test of experiments for the Civil Air Patrol. It was to be a very hot day, so they started at 0700EDT with hopes to launch and recover in the morning. The flight path prediction showed it landing only a mile or two east of the launch site.
The payload was very similar to NSL-93. The addition of a foam wing has been found to be very affective is slowing down the spin of the payload (part airfoil, part angular momentum). Aboard the payload was an AP510 and T-beam tracker, a Mobius mini camera, and a GMC recording geiger counter. This launched at 0754ET under a 600g cell of H2.
Clip of video at altitude showing thunderheads growing on a hazy day.
During the flight, the T-beam lost GPS lock, so it was not able to give us landing predictions. But otherwise the flight proceeded normally.
Still images of developing thunderstorms.
Below is a clip of video at burst at 31.2km (102,340ft)
The chase team followed below the payload. Towards the end, it was feared that the payload would land on I-40 south of Raleigh. Thankfully it floated over the highway and landed in a nearby housing development. The payload landed at the front door of a home and the chute landed on the roof. No one was home, so we gathered up the payload/chute and scooted.
Chase crew taking shelter from the heat at a nearby Burger King to review the results.
Ascent/descent rate data. Temperature data – note the inside stayed toasty due to the black foam inside the clear container.
Radiation data. Note the Pfotzer Maximum (high radiation regime from 10-25km)
