High ALtitude Object (HALO)

Based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada by Alexei Karpenko (natrium42). The launches aim to validate communication and retrieval techniques before more complex missions are attempted.

• HALO Flight 1 - 29/09/07 - successful launch and retrieval
  • Down-linked picture thumbnails in-flight using 900MHz XTend radio module
  • Pictures were taken via remote USB feature of Canon camera and scaled down by a Verdex SBC for down-linking
  • Camera failed at about 10km
  • GPS of GM862-GPS module failed at 24km and did not resume when the payload landed, but the module still replied to SMS messages
  • Landing took place onto a minor street in Kitchener and was spotted by a person who called the number on the payload
  • 900MHz XTend radio went out of range (need to use Yagi antenna on the ground instead of high-gain omni-directional)
• HALO Flight 2 - 08/10/07 - successful launch and retrieval
  • Captured 269 pictures and 58 videos (30 seconds each) with varying camera tilt (up, sideways, down)
  • Reached over 30 km (GPS failed at 24km, altitude estimated based on pressure sensor)
  • Parachute tangled, impact speed was over 60km/h, but everything survived
  • 900MHz XTend radio went out of range (need to use Yagi antenna on the ground instead of high-gain omni-directional)
  • GM862-GPS module failed at 24km, but was automatically restarted successfully and reported landing position via SMS
• HALO Flight 3 - 21/03/09 - successful launch and retrieval
  • Tested flight computer for Atlantic Halo
  • Tested Venus634LPx GPS chip – fails above 18km
  • Tested SPOT satellite messenger
  • Tested live video and picture broadcasting of the launch preparations