Project HALO (High-Altitude Lift-Off): SL-1
Post-First Attempt HAL5 Press Release (Text Version - Historical)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 1997
Primary Contact: Greg Allison
HAL5 Project HALO Program Manager
(Evening Phone: 205-859-5538)
Secondary Contact: Ronnie Lajoie
HAL5 Project HALO Logistics Coordinator
(Day Phone: 205-461-3064)
NSS Headquarters Contact: Karen Rugg
National Space Society, Washington, DC
(Day Phone: 202-543-1900)
FIRST ATTEMPT FOR PROJECT HALO SPACE LAUNCH 1 SCRUBBED
DUE TO GONDOLA ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND INCREASING WINDS
A combination of an electrical problem, increasing winds, and
increasing air traffic resulted in a scrub of the first attempt
to launch the Project HALO Space Launch 1 rockoon on Saturday,
March 22. With winds forecasted to be breezier on March 23, the
Project HALO team decided to scrub for the weekend and to try
again at a later date. The group has tentatively selected May
as the month for the second attempt.
The electrical problem has been traced to a electronic timer in
the gondola electronics package - part of the backup safety
system for the rockoon. The timer, which was to have triggered
seven hours after switching to internal battery power, instead
triggered less than ten minutes later. The most probable
cause was radio interference from an ATV transmitter.
The backup safety system is designed to enable release of the
gondola from the balloon in case the balloon drifts off course
or the rocket does not fire. (The primary means to release the
gondola is for the rocket to launch right through the balloon.)
Once released, the gondola would fall and pull on two cords.
One cord would deploy the gondola parachute. The other cord
would pull open a "tear-out panel" on one side of the balloon,
which would allow helium to escape and the balloon to float back
to the earth.
The gondola release system is composed of two "cut-down squibs"
attached to ropes on either side of the gondola. The cut-down
squibs are fired in a pre-programmed sequence triggered either
by a coded uplink command or by the backup timer. Despite the
timer problem, the sequence did proceed as programmed and both
cut-down squibs successfully cut through their ropes. A minute
later, as programmed, two other cut-down squibs attached to the
tear-out panel cord also fired successfully.
Testing of the electronics package is still being performed.
Possible solutions include replacing the electronic timer with a
mechanical one, or removing the timer, as it is merely a backup
to the uplink command. A final decision is expected in about
two weeks. For updates, visit the following URL:
http://iquest.com/~hal5/HALO/SL-1/
The gondola was still on the ground when the squibs fired and at
no time was there any danger of the rocket firing. The rocket
launch electronics are contained on an independent circuit that
has no timers. Only a coded uplink command can fire the rocket.
The squibs fired at about 7:20 AM. The Project HALO team was
slightly behind schedule due to this being their first nighttime
operation. The FAA had been called and had agreed to extend the
launch window from 6:30 AM to 7:30; but they warned that air
traffic would be increasing after that. The large plastic
helium balloon was inflated and ready to carry the rocket and
gondola to 90,000 feet. The SL-1 rocket was fueled and ready
for its historic mission to become the first amateur rocket, and
the first hybrid rocket, to reach space. Winds had increased
overnight, however, and were beginning to become breezy.
Without the cut-down squibs, the rocket provided the only means
to pop the balloon and release the gondola. About a half hour
more was needed to attach new ropes to the gondola. These,
added to the concerns of increasing winds and increasing air
traffic, tipped the balance in favor of safety, and the first
attempt was scrubbed.
The hybrid rocket oxidizer tank was drained and the rocket was
repackaged for its journey back to Huntsville, Alabama. The
balloon was carefully deflated (which is not easy when the
plastic material is thinner than food wrap!) and repackaged as
well. Because the balloon is not designed to be reused, the
HALO team decided not to use it for the second rockoon attempt.
Instead, the balloon will be used for further subsystem tests.
The second rockoon attempt has been tentatively scheduled for
May, contingent upon resolving the electrical problem and on
raising sufficient money. About $5,000 is needed to cover some
remaining expenses for the first attempt and to cover the
second. Donations from private individuals are more than
welcome and would be very much appreciated. For more
information, send E-mail to "hal5@iquest.com" or visit:
http://iquest.com/~hal5/HALO/donations.shtml
Together we can make space history for us private citizens and
help to bring about the day when we can all afford to safely
travel in outer space. Ad Astra!
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