Balloon Mapping Part I

"Preparation for the Field"

INTRODUCTION

Our Geospatial Field Methods class will be launching two balloons for mapping purposes.  The first balloon launch will be a mapping balloon to map the newly reconstructed campus mall at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  The second launch will be a high altitude balloon that will capture aerial imagery of the area surrounding the launch point.  In order to have successful launches, we worked together as a class to construct the balloon rigs and to plan the future steps of the launch.

METHODS

Figure 1-Reviewing
Reference Materials

Our class reviewed reference materials provided by our instructor before planning the execution of our balloon launch (Figure 1).  This allowed the class to gain a better idea of what exactly we would be doing and what equipment would be needed.  The instructor had supplied the equipment needed for both balloon rigs as well as a scale.

After we reviewed, the class formed groups to concentrate on specific aspects of the launch:

                -construction of the Mapping rig

                -construction of the High Altitude rig

                -Parachute Testing

                -Payload weights of both rigs

                -Design of implementing continuous shot on the cameras

                -Implementation and testing of the tracking device (Figure 8)

                -Filling the balloons with helium and securing the balloon to the rig

My group concentrated on the payload weights of both rigs.  We had to measure each and every item so when it comes time to construct the rigs, we will know exactly how much the rigs weigh.  We weighed both balloons, the parachute, two carabineers, all three cameras and memory cards, every type of rubber band, small and large zip ties, rope, string, empty liter bottles, hand warmers, Styrofoam, a “minno thermo” container, and a yellow cord with a metric scale.

Figure 2- My group weighing items

We also took pictures of each item and gave that picture a detailed label that matched the payload spreadsheet.  These pictures were uploaded into the class folder so each student has access to the images.  This is important because there is a large number of items and everyone in the class needs to know which weight corresponds to which item.  The total payload for the High Altitude Mapping Rig was determined by the end of the class period and was added to the payload spreadsheet(Figure 9).

Figure 9- Weight Chart

While my group weighed the items, other groups tested and timed the parachute, constructed rigs for both balloon applications, determined the best camera for each launch and designed the implementation of the continuous shot (Figure 3) and tested the tracking device.

Figure 3- Implementing Continuous
Shot

Figure 4- Building the Mapping
Balloon Rig

DISCUSSION

Each group made sure to document their progress and outcomes during this activity.  In the end, the documentation will allow the entire class to build both the Balloon Mapping rig as well as the High Altitude Mapping rig.  The documentation provides a framework of what has been done and what still needs to be done before we can initiate the launches.  At the end of class time, one mapping rig was constructed, "The Hindenburg" (Figure 5).

The process of preparing for the launch of both of the balloon rigs was somewhat chaotic because there were so many aspects that needed to be considered.  By breaking up into groups, students could apply their strengths to their category.  This helped because people who were better at construction worked to build the rigs (Figure 7) or people who were better at organizing the data concentrated on the payload weights, ect.

Figure 5- "The Hindenburg"

Figure 6- Balloon Mapping Rig

Figure 7- Construction of the Rigs

Figure 8- Testing the Tracking Device

The class had to work together to share the equipment because each group needed every item throughout the class period.  We also worked together to communicate to other groups what we had accomplished and what still needed to be done.  At the end of the class period, all of the groups should have recapped what was accomplished so everyone was on the same page.

CONCLUSION

As stated earlier, this is just the first step in our class’ balloon launching.  The data and designs we came up with will be improved upon and then implemented into the balloon launches.  It was a team building activity for each group and for the class as a whole.  This will help in the future steps of this process because a strong team will be needed to overcome the possible obstacles for this project.

The next steps are to design how we will fill the balloons with helium and then connects the balloons to each rig.  Once this is determined we will be able to move onto the fun part-the launch!