2017 - Project Altitude

Mission:A sunrise launch to surpass 110,000 feet and to get pictures of the forest fires in the North Cascade Mountains
Date:August 27, 2017
Status:Failed
Altitude:Unknown
Site:Orondo Washington
Duration:Unknown

This was a very difficult launch with just two of us. We wanted to launch at sunrise to photograph the extensive forest fires and to break 110,000 feet. The gusty conditions caused the balloon to hit a building just after launch. We assume that this jarred the batteries loose and we lost radio connection. We eventually lost site of the balloon. After scouring the projected landing area on two separate occasions we had to give up.

Lessons learned:

  1. Be sure to place contact information on both the outside and inside of the box. Out contact information was only on the outside which fades away over time.
  2. Launching with two people is very difficult. In particular with windy conditions. Bring more people.
  3. Tape the batteries in the holder to ensure the connection cannot come loose if the payload package is jostled.
  4. Leave enough space to ensure it can clear all buildings even if a wind gust comes up.