An apparatus for personalized atmospheric and flight data collection aboard high altitude weather balloons. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Price, Aaron
• Is Part Of: HardwareX. Volume 6(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: HAB high altitude balloon -- GPS global positioning system -- LED light-emitting diode -- I2C Inter-integrated circuit -- SPI serial peripheral interface -- PC board printed circuit board -- UV index ultraviolet index; Personalized atmospheric data -- Stratospheric balloon flight -- Affordable space science; Scientific apparatus and instruments -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies -- Periodicals; Laboratories -- Equipment and supplies; Scientific apparatus and instruments; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 681
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ohx.2019.e00077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-0672

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Offers equivalent base model features to commercial equivalents at 1/5 of cost to user. Fosters customization of code and hardware to be highly tailored to researchers' needs. Is fully built from off-the-shelf components which provides high accessibility. Abstract: A high altitude balloon (HAB) is a low cost platform capable of carrying a payload over 30, 000 m above the Earth. HABs are often used for photography of the curvature of the Earth and experimentation in the lower stratosphere, offering the opportunity for affordable atmospheric and climate experimentation and research. While HABs offer the ability for original research, existing data loggers do not provide an opportunity for personalized data collection, as all options are closed source or require substantial modification of code and hardware. The apparatus presented in this paper is designed to foster customization by researchers through specially segmented and easily adaptable code, the use of the Arduino microcontroller, and by being comprised of affordable off-the-shelf components – allowing alteration without advanced knowledge of programming or electronics. Without modification, the presented apparatus collects equivalent data to commercial options while costing just 1/5 the price to produce. This paper features the steps taken by researchers to personalize the presented apparatus with a CO2 sensor and a field test in which student researchers customized the presented apparatus with a UV sensor for climate and ozone studies.