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PICKING A LAUNCH SITE

Dr. Peggy Norris for the South Dakota/Wyoming Engineering Track team (see table)

OUR TEAM

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South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (Rapid City, SD)

Prof Jason Ash# (Mech Eng)

Sterling Wallace* (Mech Eng)

Mathew Cluter^,% (Comp Eng)

Preston Drew (Physics)

Cara Jean Ronish (Biomed Eng)

Wei-Yi Chang (Elec Eng)

Lakota Tech High School (Pine Ridge, SD)

Caitlin Bordeaux (Teacher)

Brandy, Raymond (+ family)

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Spearfish High School (Spearfish, SD)

Steve Gabriel# (teacher)

Ava, Ellie (+ family)

Lower Brule High School

Dr. Bree Oatman (teacher)

+ students to join April trip

Newcastle High School (Newcastle, WY)

Doug Scribner (teacher)

Nick Peterson (teacher)

Caleb, Thatcher, Marshall, Elijah

Southwest Middle School

Rob Dahlenburg* (teacher)

Students to join April trip

LESSONS LEARNED

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  1. The logistics team should be on location several days ahead of time.
  2. Be flexible in the days leading up to the eclipse and scout alternate sites since predictions will keep changing.
  3. Be aware of possible permits that might be needed and talk to the appropriate offices ahead of time. It might take time to find right office.
  4. If not familiar with the area, find someone you can get advice from about both the launch and recovery sites.
  5. Confirm that all balloons will be within desired altitude range and within range of ground station antennae during eclipse time.
  6. Download a GPS app before heading out on your scouting trips.

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STEP 0 – Pick a Base Location

CONSIDERATIONS: travel accessibility, access to hotels/campgrounds, weather prospects, near centerline, local partners, etc.

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2017

2023

Alliance, NE

Farmington, NM

STEP 1 – Pick a Ground Station Location

REQUIREMENTS (order of importance)

  1. Good high-speed internet not used by public
  2. Near centerline
  3. Access to power
  4. Access to facilities
  5. Opportunity for public outreach

FIND A LOCAL PARTNER!!

2017

2023

Alliance High School

San Juan College

STEP 2 – Find a launch site

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2017

2023

Near Gering, NE

Near Beclabito, NM

In Advance – use historic weather patterns to predict balloon trajectories and research locations/plan scouting trips

Week before – scout out launch locations and possible recovery zones so that balloon(s) will be within range of antennae at ground station during eclipse

STEP 3 – Verify potential recovery sites

Scout areas ahead of time to assess terrain. Prepare for things to go wrong as best you can!!

Lower Brule High School at ground station site. Team members near launch site.