White Star Balloon Project

I'm Proud to announce the first, and possibly only major flight of White Star, our pride and joy, on the cutting edge of amateur science and engineering, SpeedBall-1, "Lally":

Up to date info will be available here as launch time approaches: http://whitestarballoon.com/?p=826

Check there approximately 4 hours before launch for live audio and video of prep.
We will have live streaming video and crew audio from mission control and launch.

Launch time: 7:45PM ET Saturday (2345 UTC 12 May)
Launch Location: Spaceport Indiana (KBAK Airport)
Cruise Altitude: 70,000 ft (We're movin' on up!)
Flight Duration Expected: 1-3 Days
Tracking page: http://track.whitestarballoon.com (note this may show (and be marked as)simulated testing data up until about 5PM ET Saturday.
Balloon System: A hybrid floater, with a latex balloon doing the heavy lifting to 21km altitude, far above the ZP's original design altitude of 10km. The ZP will still provide the function of venting enough helium to arrest the climb and establish a float.
• Zero Pressure Polyethylene envelope, 660 ft^3 by Global Western with White-star designed one-way plate valve, featuring a silicone seat, and PVC pipe port at the top for He temp sensor.
• 1600g Hwoyee latex tow balloon balloon courtesy of WB8ELK, Bill Brown.

Payloads of note:
Remotely triggerable Go Pro Camera (Simultaneous wide angle view of both balloon above and horizon/ground in front)
Iridium-Arduino Satellite Communication Shield by White Star with command uplinking and adjustable telemetry intervals
Nichrome deadman cutdown by Carl Lyster, WA4ADG
ZP balloon lift gas anti-dilution valve by Gary Flispart
54 Energizer Lithium AA Batteries
5.5lbs of C2H6O ballast in a SNOX-copied ballast bottle
Humidity Sensor
Cloud particle sensor
Temperature sensors
Helium internal temperature sensor
Raw battery pack voltage sensor
Estimated Ground Track: Very slow progression through the midwestern USA for several days if target altitude is reached.

Lift Helium is proudly provided by SpacePort Indiana, Praxair Gases, and donors to White Star/LVL1

Thanks,
Dan Bowen
Project Lead
White Star Balloon Project