Near Space Exploration Group

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

In collaboration with

National Severe Storm Labs

Norman, Oklahoma

  Mission #1 5/24/2007

(Tracker # 1)

  Launch of a balloon train consisting of parachute, RS92 radiosonde, your
APRS tracker, and the electric field meter (EFM) was at approx 1310 UTC
from Middleburg.  We inflated the balloon in its launch tube (see photos
sent in earlier email from K Kuhlman) with about 1 1/3 tanks of He.  We
held the launch for about 1/2 hr to let the leading gust front move past
us and the precip core of the storm move over us before launch.  The
purpose of this was to put the instruments into the heart of the storm. 
We went thought updraft max of about 25 m/s (50 kts).  A preliminary
plot of data analysis shows electric field peaks of -90 kV/m at a
altitude of about 7 km and +50 kV/m at about 11.5 km MSL.  All 3
instruments were apparently struck by lightning just below 11.5 km as
the E dropped from +50 to about +40 kV/m.
 
The balloon is 0.6 mil polyethylene and a length of 39 ft when unfurled
from its launch length of about 20 ft.  (A 30 s timer armed at launch
melts through a line to let the bal unfold).  The EFM is also lowered on
a 30-m line to lessen the perturbation of the local E by any charge on
the balloon.
 
This was a successful flight, with the instruments providing scientific
and supporting measurements.  We are very appreciative of your
collaboration with us.
 
thanks,
Dave Rust

Last APRS packet

Position of N5KCW-11 --- 9.7 miles southwest of Moore, OK --- Report received 27 minutes 10 seconds ago
Status: 07.5V 28CNSSL WX Flight www.nearspaceexploration.org Course: 37.0 Speed: 59.8 MPH Altitude: 37544 feet
Raw packet: N5KCW-11>APOT02,SOKC*,WIDE2,qAo,W5LHG-1:/241334z3513.93N/09735.91WO037/052 07.5V 32CNSSL WX Flight www.nearspaceexploration.org/A=037544

The tracker's transmitter was heard direct by stations in the following Cities/States.  What this means is that these stations heard the packet and then sent the info into the internet

Sharon OK
Denison TX
Dougherty OK
Elm Grove LA
Haughton LA
Lawton OK
MWC OK
OKC OK
Altus OK
Amarillo TX