StratoLab
Welcome to StratoLab! StratoLab is a project built to be usable by schools, community groups, youth organizations, and more as an introduction to programming, electronics and team building.
The National Weather Service launches a minimum of two high altitude balloons a day from 91 locations at 1100 and 2300 UTC to observe weather conditions used to model weather forecasts. When flying high altitude balloons, data is usually collected throughout the flight and later retrieved for analysis.
This project contains lessons wherein learners will launch their own weather balloon to the stratosphere, or approximately 90,000+ feet. Throughout the balloon flight, the components within the payload will collect temperature, barometric pressure, latitude, longitude, elevation, and other telemetry data. This information is collected via the peripheral modules attached to the microcontrollers within the payload and stored in an SD card for analysis after recovery.
The project contains basic hands-on experiences with the following:
Microcontrollers & electronics, including wiring peripheral modules between a microcontroller and breadboard Programming microcontrollers to interact with peripheral modules using C programming language (Arduino microcontroller) or Python (Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller) Launching a finished product in a high-altitude balloon flight to the stratosphere (90,000+ feet) Analyzing collected data after recovering the balloon payload Each lesson is constructed to be completed within the timeframe of a typical classroom experience (approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour), and are designed to be completed by small groups (between 2 and 5 learners is recommended)
Let’s get started!
Materials
This project involves materials needed in the classroom, for balloon assembly, and also payload assembly. Before getting started, it’s important to understand the total cost and list of materials needed for this project to be a success.
The Materials guide will help mentors and students estimate and acquire the materials needed for this project.
Balloon Assembly and Launch
- Overview: What to know before launching a high altitude balloon
- Supplies: Supplies and materials need to assemble the balloon and its payload
- Assembly: Assembly instructions and day-of-launch guidance
- Prediction: Tools and techniques for predicting balloon flight behavior
- Checklist: Useful checklist for launch day prep and balloon launch
Radio
TODO
Tracker
TODO
Telemetry
Telemetry is a series of lessons with instructions for wiring hardware modules to a microcontroller, then programming the microcontroller to interface with the modules. Throughout these lessons, individuals will learn the basiscs of microcontrollers, wiring, programming, and debugging.
Hardware
- Raspberry Pi Pico
- Arduino
- ESP32 Wireless Tracker
Data
TODO
Resources
Things to check out to learn more!
Amateur Radio
You may be asking why is this here? Well, the primary tracking system on the balloon uses a form of radio called APRS. Without it you would never be able to find your balloon. There is some really cool nerdy stuff that has many scholorship opportunties within the radio world (hint hint).
- ARRL
- APRS which you need a amateur licensce to operate.
- LightAPRS-W (+WSPR) Tracker
- Technician study webinar
Arduino
High Altitude Balloons
- Crazy long video showing everything this person does to launch and lots of tricks
- Overlook Horizon - HAB HowTo
Python
This project and the projects within adheres to the GPLv3 license. "IN NO EVENT UNLESS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW OR AGREED TO IN WRITING WILL ANY COPYRIGHT HOLDER, OR ANY OTHER PARTY WHO MODIFIES AND/OR CONVEYS THE PROGRAM AS PERMITTED ABOVE, BE LIABLE TO YOU FOR DAMAGES, INCLUDING ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PROGRAM."
For more information reference the full GPLv3 license.