On this web page is the compiled results of past TVNSP missions. Results of experiments, along with pictures and stories are given. Feel free to use any data from past flights for your own science fair project. However, TVNSP does ask that you give credit for any data you choose to use.  If you need additional information, please contact us.

Completed Flights

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The stack for this flight consisted of a command module designed by Mark Conner of NSTAR and a support module designed by TVNSP. The flight reached an altitude of 91,000 feet before the balloon burst. Recovery occurred at
38.73640 deg N      96.12865 deg W  
Flight Manifest:  35 mm Camera on scan platform

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TV01A was launched from the Murphy airport (a half mile runway graced with a windsock). In the midst of filling the balloon the Owyhee County Sheriff was kind enough to pay us a visit (we had accidentally set off an alarm at the neighboring horse ranch). After launch TVNSP chase crews headed to Mountain Home. By the time we arrived it was apparent the balloon was rising slower than anticipated and would travel farther then planned. Chase crews then headed to Hill City in the hope of arriving shortly before the capsule landed. We got as far as Corral when the capsule set down near Mormon Reservoir. The roads here were good enough to take almost to Twin Peaks. Afterwards we stopped because of concerns about getting cars stuck in the mud. It was decided that it less trouble to walk through the mud than to push stuck vehicles out of the mud.

It was a short, three hour, jaunt up 1,202 of mountain before we reached the capsule which had set down near the peak of Davis Mountain. We began climbing the mountain long before we were beneath the capsule. Next time we'll walk around the base of the mountain before trying the ascent. I figure we walked some four miles going up the mountain, when we could have waited to make the ascent later. I'd rather we walked four miles on flat terrain than walk four miles up and down the valleys. The ascent up Davis Mountain was riff with knee deep snow banks and shoulder high scrubs. I found it interesting that by the time our feet had warmed up after walking through snow, that we ran into another snow bank. It's also interesting how much more difficult it can be walking through knee deep snow after you've been climbing for two hours.
The first one or two snow banks were fun, the rest of them were not. Finally about three hundred feet from the capsule we heard its audio beacon. Justin was first on the scene followed shortly by your forty year old author. I was amazed at my increased energy level after I heard the capsule. Unfortunately this apparent increase in energy could only carry me through one hundred feet of running. Having soaking wet boots didn't help.

After a short rest and a series of pictures, the victorious TVNSP chase crews began their two hour descent. I got sick of Davis Mountain during this expedition, however I am proud of the TVNSP chase crews for making this recovery. Once back to the vehicles, John and Deb saved the day by providing comfort in the form of water and potato chips. Now I'm not much of a chip eater, but by golly, if those weren't the best potato chips I have ever eaten. Thanks John and Deb. I also own them a thanks for giving me my first lesson in using four wheel drive.

The camcorder didn't record video on this flight. It looks like its battery died during the ascent. A technician at Video Pro in Boise is looking into this matter. The IR camera experienced problems when the Stamp Stretcher on the capsule failed. I'll be looking into that matter.

Manifest for this flight:  Insect Habitat, Near Space Thermodynamics Experiment, iButton Thermochron

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Sucker winds are winds go gentle that you think there will never be another day with winds strong enough to fly a kite. The morning started nice enough with a trip to the local hamfest. There, the launch and chase crews met, discussed, and made plans about where to launch what promised to be a successful mission. After about 1.5 hours of travel, we reached the Rome Launch Site.

There we prepared to launch a nearcraft in the wonderfully calm winds by the river. As usual, it took about an hour to prep the capsule and balloon. And all during that time, we heard nary a whisper of brewing trouble.

Just before we were ready to begin raising the balloon, the glider on the capsule was successfully dropped and recovered, and we even hadn't even launched! Isn't TVNSP amazing?! After Mr. Verhage corrected a slight oversight with a servo cable, we prepared for the most important moment, raising the balloon for launch.

But as TVNSP raised the balloon on its lanyards, the winds picked up. But these weren't gentle winds that warn you that you had better hurry. Oh no, these were demonic winds that delight in destroying near space stacks. TVNSP crews bravely struggled to save the stack at great risk to themselves. We even continued to raise the stack as the balloon was blown down to within six feet of the ground (I saw the balloon's life flash before my eyes at this point - which is much better than seeing my life flash before my eyes). The first lanyard release was a success and I felt the capsules jump up in the my hands, in preparation of their ascent into near space. Then it was time to release the second lanyard. That occurred as advertised and lifted the capsules completely out of my hands. I felt better now that the worst part was over. But at an altitude of only eight feet, the capsules came crashing earthward without so much as the parachute taking notice that it was suppose to open. When I looked up I saw the balloon rocketing skyward carrying a lanyard and winder as its only payload ("That's funny", I thought, "that's not what happened last time"). After the initial shock, we discovered that the load line had been cut by the lanyard, severing the capsule and parachute from its ride into near space.

TVNSP has made a few changes to launch procedures

1. Everyone near the load line wears gloves, even if they are using the winders.
2. The lanyard ring will now be a part of the load line. There will be no separate lines for the lanyard ring and the load line.
3. Always fill before sunrise and launch ASAP, no waiting to launch late. If the sun's up, we're late.

Flight Manifest:  Slow Scan Camera on Scan Platform, High Altitude Glider, 35mm Camera with False Color IR Film, Insect Habitat, Geiger Counter

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Five crewmembers were at the launch site and managed to get the near space capsule aloft in only 45 minutes, as opposed to the more typical 60 minutes. There was one moment when the winds suddenly gusted, but it was temporary and mild, especially when compared to the wind gusts of flight TV01B.

After launch chase crews started after the capsule as it flew back into Idaho. The capsule flew over Lake Lowell, giving me dreams of the awesome photographs we would see after recovery. At an altitude of 66,990 feet the balloon burst, initiating recovery. During capsule descent the onboard GPS receiver suffered a glitch and didn't update its altitude for about 20 minutes. However this was a minor problem as it updated its lat and long properly, letting us know the capsule was still above the surface. The capsule was tracked to its landing at 43.80855 degrees north, 116.51416 degrees west. The overall flight traveled 48.5 miles at a heading of 34 degrees, true north. This is several miles northeast of the town of Middleton and in relatively flat lands for Idaho. Having to drive through a cattle ranch slowed down the recovery, but it still was a very easy flight. This flight reminded me of typical Kansas flights.

After recovery it was determined the camcorder recorded audio but not video. Also the IR camera didn't expose the film inside. It's an autoloading camera, and may have failed to properly load the film. Oh well, another $20 roll of film wasted. Another interesting observation was made of Cabin 1 of the Near Space Cabins. The cabin was crushed by atmospheric pressure.

Flight Manifest:  Computer Controlled Camcorder, 35mm Camera with IR film, iButton Thermochrons, Environmental Sounder, Near Space Cabin, Motorola OnCore GPS

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Launch occurred 90 minutes late, at 8:30 AM CDT on 30 June 2001 from the Johnson Near Space Center, in Manhattan, Kansas. Ms Kimbra Cutlip from Weatherwise covered the launch for her magazine. Check out the Nov/Dec issue of Weatherwise for the story.

Ralph Wallio is maintaining a webpage for GPSL 2001 and it is located at http://users.crosspaths.net/~wallio/group.html

Flight Manifest:  Motorola OnCore VP GPS, Digital Camera on Scan Platform, 35mm Camera on Scan Platform, 35 mm Camera with False Color IR film, Geiger counter, Near Space Cabin (Calibration Flight)

GPSL 2001 was a great success. Over twenty people attended the launch and helped with launch procedures. The Johnson Near Space Center is a huge metal building that allowed all balloons to be filled and stored inside. There's no doubt the facility can handle more than twice as many balloons. Surface winds were very light, and almost non-existent. This allowed all three balloons to be brought out and launched simultaneously. At the end of the count-down given by your humble narrator, launch crews released the captive near space stacks. Two of the stacks shot skyward at over 1000 feet per minute. The third stack (by TVNSP) made its assault on the skies at a pokey 600 feet per minute.

After launch the chase crews drove south on highway 77, past Herrington. At a historical marker the twelve vehicles and 17 crews made a stop. It's impressive to see so many chase teams on a launch. NSBG and NSTAR where the first balloons to burst. Unfortunately NSBG's capsule stopped sending telemetry during the descent. Fortunately though, it was recovered a few days later and returned to Bill All. About have the chase crews drove after Mark's capsule first, where we recovered it in a cut wheat field. The farmer who owned the field was delighted to find out what was recovered in his field. Several pictures of the recovery crew and the farmer and his family where taken.

At an altitude of 83,073.9 feet the TVNSP 1200 gram gave up the ghost and made it's death plunge earthward. Tragedy would have resulted had the parachute not performed it's designed task.

Recovery was at 37.9368 N, 97.2843 W. This location was also a cut wheat field. This time however, the landowner expressed no interested in the recovered capsule. As is typical with these flights, a flurry of picture taking followed recovery.

NSTAR and TVNSP chase teams then attempted to help NSBG in its search for their capsule. Instead we met up with them after they concluded the search they wished to perform that afternoon. Instead, in mass, we descended upon the Cracker Barrel restaurant in Junction City for a well deserved early dinner. Good cheer was evident to all as we joked about our experiences.

There will be another Great Plains Super Launch in July 2002 (GPSL 2002). We encourage all near space balloon groups to participate in some fashion. The goal is to launch even more balloons simultaneously. We may even try for a near space symposium at GPSL 2002. Stay tuned.

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Flight TV03C

Justin's Photos
Lela's Photos

Flight TV03D

Lela's Photos

Dan's UAV Launch

Lela's Photos