TIDGET Tracking at the Edge of Space

Alison Brown, Amir Matini, Bruce Johnson, Jack Crabtree

Abstract:	Edge of Space Sciences (EOSS), based in Denver, Colorado, is a non-profit organization that promotes science and education through amateur radio and high altitude balloons. Formed in January of 1991, EOSS has conducted 18 balloon flights to date. All EOSS flights involve the participation of students from middle school through universities. Students participate by plotting altitude, barometric pressure, and temperature data or by designing and operating their balloon-borne experiments. The balloon experiments reach altitudes in excess of 100,000 feet, providing an inexpensive method of performing “edge of space” testing. During the past year, three EOSS balloon experiments included GPS for tracking and instrumentation. GPS data helps to ensure the maintenance of the 100% payload recovery record and to provide more accurate winds aloft data for student study. Student payloads have consisted of solar telescopes, ozone measurement, radiation measurement, payload spin stabilization experi- ments, temperature and pressure instrumentation, and differential GPS. Live amateur television transmission from the edge of space has been included on all EOSS flights but one. Three EOSS GPS balloon experiments have carried a miniaturized NAVSYS TIDGETTM radiosonde sensor. These flight tests have allowed NAVSYS to demonstrate integrated system performance, including the sonde-mounted TIDGET, sonde transmitter, ground station receiver, and ground station TIDGET processing hardware and software. The test results from these experiments are included in this paper with a description of the GPS applications at the edge of space. Further flight testing of the TIDGET radiosonde sensor is scheduled. EOSS continues to work with the educational community and other science organizations to involve students and encourage their study of science and mathematics. NAVSYS is a sponsor of these efforts.
Published in:	Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994) September 20 - 23, 1994 Salt Palace Convention Center Salt Lake City, UT
Pages:	1667 - 1673
Cite this article:	Brown, Alison, Matini, Amir, Johnson, Bruce, Crabtree, Jack, "TIDGET Tracking at the Edge of Space," Proceedings of the 7th International Technical Meeting of the Satellite Division of The Institute of Navigation (ION GPS 1994), Salt Lake City, UT, September 1994, pp. 1667-1673.
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