Loki is the name of the edge of space balloon experiment that Tamworth Radio Club members & Tamworth Oxley Scout members will be launching in the coming weeks. Loki-1 is to be a balloon filled with hydrogen that will carry a 1 kilogram payload consisting of:
APRS equipment for tracking & flight data,
A camera set to take photo’s at 1 minute intervals,
Sensors to record temp & radiation
Paper aircraft that will be dropped from a height of approx. 30 kilometres with information on them from the members of the Tamworth Oxley Scout Group.
OH AND THE PASSENGER? – 1 cockroach has been suggested.
This is the first time the Tamworth Radio Club has taken on a project like this. The local scout group when asked if they wished to be involved responded with so much enthusiasm it was hard to keep everyone calm. (the larger adult type kids seemed to be the most excited). The comment of "can we really do this!!" was heard more than once.
The Tamworth radio club has installed 7 ground stations around the North West and New England regions of NSW that will be used to receive APRS data from LOKI-1 then transferring this to the internet for live tracking via the APRS network. It is expected that LOKI-1 will reach an altitude of 30 kilometres or 100,000 feet in the old scale giving the craft a radio horizon of 700 kilometres.
As airspace is heavily regulated regarding its use negotiations are well in hand with Australia's airspace regulator the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, or CASA and air traffic controllers regarding a host of regulations that need to be complied with regarding the flight of the balloon through controlled airspace. Non compliance with all the necessary regulations have large and hefty fines along with a optional holiday in gaol. Controlled airspace starts at various altitudes above ground depending on where you are, up to 60,000 feet. Most jet passenger aircraft cruise at an altitude between 25,000 and 40,000 feet. How would anyone get to see the photos if the little baby craft gets swallowed and shredded by a big nasty jet engine.
Up to date information can be found on Tamworth Radio Club’s web site via the following Link then follow the links to projects.
APRS equipment for tracking & flight data,