Anyone out there involved in High Altitude Ballooning (HAB) operations might be interested in the space-grade Polyimide Thermofoil flexible heater rig we're using to keep our Vulture 2 spaceplane's rocket motor toasty at altitude.
The propellant doesn't much like the cold, so we need to keep it above -5 degrees C if possible - the minimum guaranteed firing temperature.
The last snap is the heater sealed onto our Ceasaroni 54mm 3G case with heatshrink, and the no-expense-spared $10 aquarium thermostat is to prevent the heater from melting down at altitude, where its mighty 2.24W output can't dissipate.
While the heater is only capable of raising the casing temperature 5 degs C above ambient on the ground, it's a completely different story in the air, or the lack of it.
A recent test flight confirmed the rig works as expected, and will keep the motor nice and warm. There are full details here.
Comments
Whoo, 100k.m altitude. I am dreaming guys. Wish I was 500k.m near to one of you guys to just watch such project.
Gooood luck. I am in wrong place and wrong time :(. I would be just handy man or water guy to such a project if I was any closer :::(. Thanks for posting, fire on, watching more from you.. Thanks
This is such an interesting thread, thanks chaps.
I know we aren't talking about high enough altitudes here, but what happens with the EKF/DCM solution when gravity is partially missing? I am betting it's one of those "not tested yet" scenarios :)
Thanks Monroe. I reciprocate the sentiments and look forward to writing something about the Condor soon.
Our airframe is rated to well over Mach 1, according to the designers. That's at altitude, obviously, since it's not a good idea to try that at ground level. It's a strong beast, nonetheless. There are some photos of the unassembled bits and pieces here: http://reg.cx/28zB
700mph ?!!! Almost supersonic. Does this airframe handle this speed!!? I thought it will disintegrate <300 mph...
k, tnx. Pretty complex I guess, I can only dream of such project :-||. More interested in tracker
Good luck
Ok, a noob question. Since this setup goes up with balloon, what do you need rocket motor for? to come down?!
All excellent stuff. We're liaising with Andrew Tridgell on the Pixhawk, and I'd love to get your experience as we move forward. Good to hear your in the Pi club - I'm just about to connect a new dedicated transmitter and GPS board, the "Pi in the Sky". Details soon.
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