Next Launch Preparation - Bravo

Preparation for the next launch is ongoing after the successful-failure of the first launch.  Many changes and enhancements have been made.  The greatest change for Launch Bravo is that we will be using Hydrogen instead of Helium which offers 8-10% more lift and is much easier on the wallet at half the cost.

With winds carrying west to east, we will be launching near Staunton, VA at Verona Elementary School.  Here is the flight predictions for Launch using the CUSF Flight Predictor:

There is significant preparation that will be taking place this evening to get the system ready for tomorrow, and so I will not have time to post all of the changes we've made, but here are the highlights:

1. Lithium Polymer batteries - Lighter than the 6xAAA and 2xD batteries and expected to perform better at the extremely low temperatures anticipated
2. Mastrack Satellite Tracker - Telemetry is sent every 15 minutes via cellular towers
3. Lighter parachute deploy system - Aluminum tube instead of a pvc tube trimmed the weight by 0.5 lbs
4. Spin correction - Payload spin is detected by a Gyro sensor and counteracted using a Servo motor attached to a wind vane.  This will be turned off at >30,000 ft as the air thins, making it ineffective.