[HSIS] Test Proposal for Paper Airplanes In Near-Space - High-Altitude Advertisement for the 3/5/11 Tech Expo Pig Roast

Sat Feb 12 17:06:12 CST 2011

Hello,

      To test the veracity of the claim that paper airplanes launched from a
high-altitude balloon can turn up halfway around the world, and because of
the upcoming Makers Local 256 Mardi Gras Pig Roast/Tech Expo on 3/5/11, I
propose that we do a quick and dirty test to check the claim and advertise!
      To advertise, I would like to take 100 of our fliers, print them with
non-toxic ink on biodegradable card stock or heavy paper, fold them into
paper airplanes and launch them on a weather balloon.  As of now, we have
enough experience to know how to do it from the make shop and we have two
800 gram weather balloons with a payload capacity of 2.5 pounds each to 17.4
miles (91,000 feet) above sea level.  All we need is a payload net to hold
the planes and release them at balloon burst and ~200 ft^3 of Helium at 1
atmosphere of pressure and 25 degC.  This will be ~$25 of helium for one
flight.  As this flight needs no recovery, no tracking systems are required
and we can just fly with the balloon and payload carrier.
     This is where the test comes in; I would like to launch one week before
the expo and put a discount ticket to the event if a plane is recovered as
well as a unique phrase attached to each ticket.  This way, people who come
in the door claiming to have recovered a plane must verify it and state
where they got it.  This way, we can roughly determine where the planes
turned up.
     I estimate this project would take two whole working days of labor and
cost a total of ~$75 to fly ($25 for lifting gas and $50 for materials).  I
am seeking to start building on 2/21/11 and launch on 2/27/11.  I would like
help in finding the appropriate paper material for the airplanes, inks that
are non-toxic and how to obtain lifting gas as well as people to help
organize, build, test and fly the project.

                - Ethan

P.S. As for regulations; for FAA, we need to remain under 4 lbs maximum
weight and the descent flight hardware (paper airplanes, payload carrier)
must have parachutes or glide to prevent harm to people and property below.
 These requirements they already meet.  For environmental concerns, we are
not flying any toxic chemicals, our balloon and airplanes are biodegradable,
and the only potential non-biodegradable elements; payload flight line,
payload carrier and associated ballast and recovery systems must be
non-toxic.

On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 11:53 AM, <wb8elk at aol.com> wrote:

> Already in the works !!!
>
> - Bill
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Ethan Chew <spacefelix at gmail.com>
> To: wb8elk at aol.com
> Cc: hsis at lists.makerslocal.org; ghallison at aol.com
> Sent: Mon, Feb 7, 2011 8:57 am
> Subject: Re: Paper Airplanes In Near-Space!
>
> If we could put trackers on some paper airplanes to try this out and see
> how valid this is?
>
>               - Ethan
>
> On Mon, Feb 7, 2011 at 1:37 AM, <wb8elk at aol.com> wrote:
>
>> Ethan,
>>
>>   Note closely that their website offers no confirmed proof that these
>> "sightings" are factual...more than likely they are internet-inspired
>> reports to see if they get a point on their map.....hey, I found one of
>> these Samsung SD cards right here in Huntsville Alabama....(it was in my
>> digital camera).
>>
>>   Now that they have gotten worldwide coverage, I imagine that they will
>> have a 200 percent or more recovery rate from every continent on the World
>> and maybe even the Moon. The reality is that the sightings in Germany are
>> possibly valid...anywhere else is bogus. There is no way it can fly to South
>> Africa without possessing anti-gravity and a mode of propulsion. The glide
>> ratio would have to be incredible. The one Fox news report said that their
>> plane had a 12 to 1 glide ratio so it made sense it could make it all the
>> way around the World to America.....let's see now....just a quick fact check
>> that I'm certain that Fox news carefully performed.....22.7 miles drop at
>> 12:1 glide ratio....271 miles max drift....yep, that's exactly the distance
>> from Germany to America.....Poor Lindbergh must've gone the long way around.
>>
>>   It just goes to show that in today's World that it's not the facts that
>> count to get publicity and recognition...it's who has the flashiest website.
>>
>> - Bill WB8ELK
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Ethan Chew <spacefelix at gmail.com>
>> To: Hacker Spaces In Space contest website <hsis at lists.makerslocal.org>;
>> Bill Brown <wb8elk at aol.com>; Greg Allison <GregAllison at a2zaerospace.com>;
>> gregory.h.allison at nasa.gov
>> Sent: Fri, Feb 4, 2011 11:57 pm
>> Subject: Paper Airplanes In Near-Space!
>>
>> Check it out!  These guys launched a bunch of paper airplanes from a
>> near-space balloon.
>>
>>  http://projectspaceplanes.com
>>
>>  The amazing thing is that the planes are turning up worldwide:
>>
>>
>> http://projectspaceplanes.com/post/2959260740/here-is-a-list-of-locations-that-people-have
>>
>>                       - Ethan
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
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