Following are questions that are commonly asked of TVNSP regarding it's program. If you have a question that is not answered here, email us. Better still, ask your questions on the TVNSP Yahoo! group so we can all learn together!
What is Near Space?
Near space begins at an altitude of 75,000 feet and ends at the beginning of space, or at 62.5 miles according to the International Aeronautical Federation (FAI). Once in near space, air pressures drop to below 4% of air pressure at sea level. The low air pressure provides very little shielding for cosmic rays. As a result, the cosmic ray flux increases tremendously. The distance to the horizon grows beyond 330 miles, compared to a distance to the horizon of three miles for adults standing at sea level. Because of the reduced air pressure, blue light from the sun is no longer scattered. This leaves the sky inky black. The distance to the horizon is so great that the curvature of the earth becomes apparent in photographs taken in near space. Hugging the Earth's edge is seen a thin blue layer of atmosphere. Near space altitudes are well within the Stratosphere and Ozone layer. The lack of filtering atmosphere increases the ultraviolet flux of the sun. In near space the weather is always bright and sunshiny, but chillingly cold. Temperatures drop to at least -60 degrees Fahrenheit and sometimes as low as -90 degrees Fahrenheit. The lower temperatures and pressures make near space a close analog to the surface of the planet Mars.How Does One Send Experiments into Near Space?
A payload sent into near space is called a near space capsule or nearcraft. They can be built for as little as $500, and like the Space Shuttle, they are reusable. Experiments are attached to computer operated platforms both inside and outside the nearcraft. Mission after mission, nearcraft perform experiments on a shoe string budget.
What is a stack?
The nearcraft is carried into near space by a large helium-filled weather balloon. Between the balloon and nearcraft is the recovery parachute. The combination of the nearcraft, parachute, and balloon is the near space stack. A typical stack stands fifty feet tall and costs $150 to send on a mission. It takes a crew about one hour to prepare the stack for flight. During this time they test the equipment in the nearcraft and fill the balloon with over 300 cubic feet of helium.What type of experiments are sent into Near Space?
Experiments include sounding the atmosphere, remote sensing the
Earth's surface, cosmic ray studies, astronomical observations,
radio propagation, and technology evaluations. New experiments are
constantly being designed and developed. Let us know if you have a great
idea for an experiment!
How many flights has TVNSP sent into Near Space?
Many! Information on past flights can be found on our Previous Missions page. The chart at the top gives a quick rundown of past flights. Clicking on a specific flight will take you to the details of that flight.
How Do I Get Started in Near Space Exploration?
Come to a launch! For more information about TVNSP and near space exploration, join our Yahoo email group.
What Equipment Do I Need to Get Started?
There are many different ways to be involved with TVNSP. No equipment is required if you want to follow along with one of the crew to launch/chase the balloons. However, if you choose to do mobile tracking on your own of the balloon and crew, you will need a computer (laptop), APRS software (download here) and Street Atlas (for mapping), a ham radio and a TNC. The APRS software is shareware; registering it will allow you to save your settings within the program. (If you need assistance in setting up your APRS, click here for more information.) A GPS can be handy if you want to also transmit your location to the rest of the crew.
For running flight predictions we use BalloonTrak and Liftwin software (both are freeware). Again, this is not required unless you wish to see the predictions first hand. See our Procedures section for more information regarding these programs and detailed explanations of how TVNSP plans for and launches its nearcraft.