Launched from the 5th green of the Elmore golf club. The balloon attained an altitude of 19 kilometres and travelled around 101 k’s in distance. Recovery was pretty straightforward. We found the balloon right next to a 4WD track.
Altitude - 19000
After a couple of false starts the balloon was launched successfully from Venus bay in very strong wind. It got to an altitude of 18 kilometres and travelled around 100 kilometres in distance. Recovery was very difficult. It involved the team walking through incredibly overgrown bush, weeds and stinging nettles over 5 hours to finally find the payload.
Altitude - 18000
We dont really talk about echo launch. It wasn't really a launch. We travelled to Queenscliff at the crack of dawn in perfect conditions. Because of the bad experience with wind during launch bravo we attached a guide line which managed to sever the main line releasing the balloon and parachute and dropping the payload to the ground. Depressing all around. Height attained 6 feet and distance was around 3 feet.
This was our most successful launch yet. Our redesigned payload box worked very well. We launched from the Tallarook footy ground just after 8 am. The balloon attained the highest altitude yet at 25618 metres travelling 213 kilometres in distance.
Altitude - 25618
This was the most successful flight to date. The launch was smooth with no problems encountered. The balloon reached over 35.5 kilometres in altitude and the recovery was reasonably incident free except that we rolled one of the cars. Otherwise good.
Altitude - 35532 metres
We didn’t have access to a four wheel drive vehicles this launch so we decided to aim the landing towards open ground. The launch at Newlyn was very windy. We used a guide line to get the balloon up. The launch was successful. The recovery was really easy. The payload was sitting in a paddock. There was some twist in the line which was caused by spin in the parachute.
Altitude - 34577 metres
Very successful and launch. We now have our launch process well practised. The balloon ascended 3000 metres further than anticipated which took it further across land and away from the predicted landing area. It ended up landing at the Pucka military base which we were able to get onto after some negotiation. This will probably mark the end of the balloon launches as the group is looking for a challenge. Next - High altitude gliders.
Altitude - 34870 metres
