Happening over the weekend, the LASA Group (Lanark Space Agency) is set to launch to balloons from Perth Ontario. Although these launches are un-sponsored and independent of help from schools and the like, they are nevertheless important and quite frankly, fun at the same time. Something folks from our little town of Perth Onatario won’t soon forget.
One of the biggest obstacles the group will have to hurdle is predicting how and where to get back the equipment once the balloon makes a landing. It is fairly easy to set up an Amateur Balloon; the only problem is getting your payload back. This is especially important for those who want to take pictures from near space.
It pays to get hold of an updated Jet Stream Map. If you can get one online, you will notice that the jet stream is “aimed” more South than the usual East this time. Jet stream maps are crucial in predicting the location of where the balloon will land. Furthermore, they are pretty accurate as well.
So, all the team has to do is anticipate whether it’s North East, East North East, East , East South East or South East. Yes, it still sounds very tedious but it’s what makes it even more rewarding for the team.
But that’s just one factor. The team then needs to figure out how quickly the balloon enters the jet stream upon its descent after its release from Perth Ontario. In addition, a balloon can even rise up back into the jet stream, often bursting in the process. Once it gets back to the jet stream, the team’s predictions often go haywire.
It all boils down to a combination of hard science and luck. The balloon is guaranteed to come down; it’s just a matter of having a recovery unit near it once it lands.
One thing’s for sure, our folks at Perth Ontario are pretty excited over this launch. Of course, every time someone launches anything into space or even near it, it’s guaranteed to cause a commotion.
