Do you have to get a waiver from the FAA every time you launch a high-altitude balloon?

• The short answer is no.
• If all of the requirements are followed under the Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR), Subpart A, you are not required to contact the FAA about the launch of the StratoSAT. The launch of a StratoSAT, if following FAR 101 Subpart A, is the same as the National Weather Service’s launch of weather balloon every 12 hours. We do recommend you keep a good relationship with the FAA and keep them informed of you activities.

Do you have to have a license to launch high-altitude balloon?

• You do not need a license to launch a high-altitude balloon.
• StratoStar’s StratoSAT uses the 900 MHz frequency for it’s communication, which does not require a license to operate.

Why would I want to buy a StratoSAT system if I or my students can build a near-space telemetry unit?

• StratoSAT is built and designed by professional engineers and undergo extensive testing to endure the harsh environment of near-space.
• We have designed StratoSAT, to be a reliable telemetry and data acquisition unit so you can focus on experiments or your own telemetry without the risk of loosing everything.

How much does it cost to conduct a high-altitude balloon launch?

• Typically it cost under $300 a launch.
• This includes: balloon, helium, gas for the chase vehicle, victory meal after recovering you payloads.

Isn’t StratoSAT just a glorified meteorological radiosonde?

• No, StratoSAT is designed to allow the user to send their own experiments into near-space (above where radiosondes burst) and have the data sent back to the ground in real time with tracking, so all the equipment can be reused.

Why would launching student experiments into near-space help my school or University?

• Launching experiments into near-space gives students an avenue to use their math and science theories in an exciting way.
• A launch helps students in the following areas: Project Management, making deadlines, working with a team, data analysis, publication and much more.

How high do your balloons ascend?

• The balloon and payload average about 17 miles above the earth or 90,000ft.
• If the user would like to terminate the flight at certain altitudes StratoStar has that technology available.

How do you track the balloon and payloads during flight?

• A chase vehicle is equipped with a 12 in antenna and a radio. Transmissions from the StratoSAT send the GPS coordinates to the antenna on top of the chase vehicle and these coordinates are plotted in mapping software on a laptop.
• There is also an option to have a Mission Control, where the GPS coordinates are sent to an antenna mounted at a fixed location to be plotted in mapping software on a laptop or desktop.

How do you recover the payloads on the balloon?

• While the balloon is in flight a chase vehicle will be monitoring the balloons progress with a laptop which is plotting the balloons location on a map.
• The chase vehicle will see when the balloon’s altitude reaches zero and the is no longer moving and they will drive or hike to the location and pick up the payloads.

What do you use to fill the balloon?

• StratoStar typically uses helium and we recommend this to our users.
• Hydrogen has also been used but is only recommended for more experienced users, due to its combustible nature.

How long is a typical flight?

• Typically a flight is about 2 hours.
• Depending on the weather conditions and if a flight terminator or float valve are used, the flights could be 10 minutes to 24 hours

What happens if StratoSAT lands in water?

• The standard StratoSAT is not specifically designed for water landings but it will not sink and will transmit until the batteries die or water gets into the electronics.
• StratoStar is developing a StratoSAT H20, specifically designed for water landings.

Can you launch StratoSAT at night?

• Yes, StratoStar and Taylor University have conducted numerous night launches.
• The only difference is strobe flashers are needed to make StratoSAT visible in flight and on the ground.

How much weight can StratoSAT lift?

• Unlimited amount of weight and any payload size.
• The only restriction for weight is the size of balloon you use.
• We typically encourage people to launch payloads under 12 lbs, there is less involvement with the FAA.

What weather conditions can you launch StratoSAT in?

• Any weather conditions
• StratoSAT has been launched in: Strong wind, snow, rain, cloudy, foggy, sunny, extreme cold, extreme hot. The only condition still untested is launching directly into a thunderstorm or hurricane.

Has anyone ever lost a StratoSAT?

• No
• Currently no one has ever lost a StratoSAT. The StratoSAT technology has been flying for over 4 years and has never failed.

What types of courses would StratoSAT launches benefit?

• All classes dealing with Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM)
• Conducting a launch into near-space allows students to apply creativity, textbook and classroom theory, and team work into a real life application.

What is near-space?

• Is the area above where airplanes fly and below the realm of orbiting satellites.
• For a more technical description see wikipedia definition of near-space

How do you prevent the balloon from landing in a city or dangerous area?

• Flight prediction software is used before a launch occurs, to pinpoint where a payload would land.
• If the payload is to land in a city or another dangerous area the launch site could be moved or the launch postponed.

Can you predict where the balloon will land?

• Yes
• Flight prediction software is used to calculate the landing area for a payload based on the winds in the upper atmosphere.

Is there a warranty on StratoSAT?

• Yes
• There is a 2 year or 10 launch warranty on StratoSAT. But this warranty does not cover damage due to normal wear and tear.