Ground Control has introduced its compact RockBLOCK satellite communication solution to support a high school initiative that deploys instrumentation packages into the upper atmosphere using high-altitude balloons to gather diverse data.
This innovative program at Edorado High School was initiated by Paul McWhorter, an educator with 17 years of experience at Sandia National Labs and the founder of a nanotechnology firm in Silicon Valley.
At Edorado High School, instrumentation packages, referred to as Eagles, are launched to the brink of space, relaying critical information such as temperature, pressure, GPS coordinates, and live video feeds.A total of twenty distinct data channels are transmitted back to the classroom’s ‘Mission Control.’ The data transfer utilizes both satellite and microwave communication methods. Due to specific technical and regulatory standards, a high-gain microwave antenna is required on the ground.The challenge lies in the fact that high-frequency microwave signals have limited range, necessitating precise alignment with the airborne instrument package.
Even minor pointing inaccuracies can result in signal loss, making it essential to have a reliable method for transmitting the GPS location of the remote device. This ensures that the microwave antenna remains correctly oriented and can re-establish a connection if it is indeed lost. Ground Control’s RockBLOCK serves as a backup system,assisting the primary microwave array in maintaining and regaining connectivity.
The RockBLOCK is a robust, compact, low-power solution for transmitting and receiving data from remote areas. Utilizing the Iridium satellite network, it offers truly global coverage. In this scenario, GPS data is sent via RockBLOCK to Ground Control’s servers, which then forwards the information through an HTTP post to the client’s server, allowing for adjustments to the high-gain antenna’s positioning and ensuring continuous links.
Christine Lindsey, Mission Specialist at the Edorado High School Space Program, stated: “Our mission’s success hinges on the dependable transmission of GPS coordinates from the instrument package back to the ground. We opted for the RockBLOCK modem and the Iridium satellite network due to its exceptional connectivity.”
To learn more, visit the Ground Control website >>
