​​After successfully completing two missions to space, our team decided that they should set out to try something innovative for the third mission.  An annular solar eclipse was set to occur on May 20, 2012, with the path of the eclipse passing right over our area in Northern California.  Our idea was to fly three balloons simultaneously through the path of the eclipse!

 

This was a very ambitious goal and would take a lot of time, planning and money!  So we launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $3000 for the mission.  An overwhelming amount of support came in from donors all over the world, and we ended up raising over $4,000 for the project!

 

The Mission 3 goals were far more lofty (pun intended) than previous missions:

 

Mission 3 Goals

 

• Launch 3 balloons into the stratosphere to coincide with the May 20, 2012 annular solar eclipse.  Launch balloons from a location that will increase the probability of the crafts passing through the path of greatest eclipse.

• Design and build 3 completely new crafts to carry data collection equipment and cameras.

• ​Capture High-Definition video from peak altitude.

• Capture 11 Megapixel still images from the flight through the eclipse path.

• Be the first ever  to capture High-Definition 3-D video from the Stratosphere.

• Reduce camera fogging.

• Collect internal and external temperature data from the crafts.

• Collect data about high-altitude wind speed.

• Collect Ultraviolet-B light exposure data during the flight and peak of the eclipse.

• Collect data about cosmic and solar radiation exposure.

• Use the crafts as a vehicle for a variety of student experiments, including sending a variety of items to test the effects of high altitude conditions on the them, i.e. seeds, algae and human blood.

• Retrieve all three crafts.

 

Our goals were set and the funds were raised, and we had just over a month to purchase all necessary equipment, build our crafts and get ready for the big launch.

 

As we began to work through the designing, building and planning of the project, we made several modifications to our goals along the way.  

 

We did a series of flight path projections from various launch points around Northern California.  The peak of the eclipse was happening to the northwest and if the wind conditions were right we could travel to an area somewhere to the north or northwest to launch our balloons, with the hopes of them traveling into the peak path of the eclipse.  After much studying of the weather patterns, potential launching and landing logistics, we made the decision to launch from our school where the previous three launches had taken place.  We decided that we were going to see a spectacular eclipse from there, even if it was not at 100% totality, and that getting our local community involved in the launch and viewing the eclipse was reason enough to launch from home.

 

We also decided to consolidate our efforts into two balloons instead of three.  We could still accomplish all of our goals with less recovery effort.

 

We had an extended team of students who were involved in putting together experiements, building crafts and testing equipment.  Our four veteran students who made up the core of the Space Program were now teaching and leading others in building and designing the project.  We ended up with two brand new spacecraft: The Space Panther One and Space Panther Two.

 

In addition we organized a community Eclipse party and invited friends and family to come watch the launch and view the eclipse afterwards.

 

On the afternoon of May 20th, we assembled our crew, our equipment and were ready to begin filling the two balloons.  This was the first time we had ever launched in the afternoon and the first time we had a set launch time so that the balloons would make it to the peak of their ascent at around the same time as the peak of the eclipse.

 

With the experiments loaded, the data devices on and the cameras ready to go, everything was looking good.  Both balloons were being filled to their appropriate volumes.  We were about to secure the balloons to the crafts when- BOOM!!!

 

One of our balloons had popped- or with that much helium, it was more like a small explosion.  Luckily we were ready with a backup balloon and helium.  We quickly scurried to get the tank and new balloon ready and began filling again.  It was looking like we were going to still make our scheduled launch time.

 

Finally when the spare balloon was filled, we were ready to launch.  We opened the hangar doors and with a lot of help, walked the balloons and crafts out into what had turned into a very windy afternoon.  The evening breezes had picked up to strong gusts and we struggled to keep our balloons steady.   Our previous launches being early in the morning, we had never had to deal with wind before.

 

As we brought the balloons out to the tarmac, as the community looked on- BOOM!!! The balloon carrying Space Panther Two burst from the wind pressure, leaving the craft grounded.  The Space Panther One team hurried to beat the wind and let the Space Panther One go.  Because of the strong winds, the craft did not rise vertically, but traveled almost horizontally towards trees and power lines.  We thought for sure that the craft was doomed, but just at the last minute the craft cleared the tree- by inches, and was off on its flight.

 

The Space Panther One was carrying the 3D camera, the ultraviolet light and temperature sensors, an anemometer and a collection of seeds.  The grounded Space Panther Two left the radiation sensor, blood, seeds, algae, and the still imaging camera on Earth, to be put to use someday in a future experiment.

 

As our balloon sailed gracefully upwards, the community gathered together to watch the eclipse.  It was the last annular or total eclipse in our area until 2017.

 

Tracking the balloon, we watched as it took nearly the same flight path over the mountains and city of Ukiah as the Mission 2 balloon had taken.  An hour and a half later it was over the Mendocino National Forest again, but still ascending.  Then we lost contact.

 

For an hour we waited.  We were used to this waiting period, but we were surprised how far the craft had traveled this time before we lost contact.  It was already as far as our Mission 2 balloon had traveled, but was still ascending.  An hour later we received a signal from the balloon.  It was over the Central Valley and still heading east!  We were completely taken by surprise at how far the balloon had traveled, and became concerned that it might travel all the way over the Central Valley and deep into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, which could make recovery nearly impossible.

 

Luckily, the craft came to rest in what appeared to be an orchard about 10 miles outside of Chico, Ca.  The next day instructors Bagnell and Snyder headed out for what was to be a long drive, but the easiest recovery to date.  After easily locating the balloon not more than 200 feet off of a paved road, the two parked, walked between the rows of trees, and found the balloon sitting upright on the ground, as if awaiting our arrival like a lost pet.  

 

Although the team was disappointed at the several mishaps that led to only one craft making it to space, they were excited at what we got back.  The 3D camera captured incredible views of our local area from above.  It is truly stunning in 3D, but unfortunately for the third consecutive time, our camera fogging became worse at higher altitudes.  As it turns out, too many heat packs had been loaded into the craft to keep the equipment warm, and the large difference in internal to external temperature caused excessive condensation.  Unfortunately, our video from the peak eclipse was too fogged to be visible.  

 

The data was quite impressive. The Ultraviolet light sensor recorded a sharp increase in UV light as the craft ascended.  Then it began making a steady decline, signifying that the eclipse had begun.  As the craft ascended and the eclipse increased, the decline in UV light was dramatic.  The data that we collected, using a sensor from Vernier Software and Technolgy earned us a write-up in their quarterly newsletter.  The article can be viewed HERE.

 

While not reaching the dramatic height of Mission 2, the Boonville Space Program was proud of their accomplishments and their farthes-flying balloon to date, the Space Panther One.

 

 

Mission 1 Stats

 

Horizontal Distance Traveled: 87.3 miles

 

Peak Altitude: Approximately 115,000 feet

 

Total Flight Time: 3 hours 8 minutes