A Bear, a Pig and a Rubber Chicken Take Off in a Balloon…
10 May
Sounds like the beginning of a strange joke, but it actually happened. And I got the pics to prove it! But first, the back story…
In October 2010 an idea was hatched to launch three popular toy mascots to the edge of space in a balloon as an educational outreach program to raise Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) awareness.
The mission was named Raise Awareness Space Balloon (RASB) and the launch system was called the Balloon Transportation System 1 (BTS-1), after NASA’s space shuttle STS acronym. The BTS-1 capsule was christened “Inspiration” by Rick McLastnom, the winner of the RASB on-line capsule naming contest.
Mission Patch for BTS-1
For the past six months, the mascot crew and their human support team had been hard at work learning about the intricacies of balloon launches, amateur radio tracking, atmospheric weather, capsule design and construction, etc. The crew even went through additional rigorous NASA style astronaut training. The team and crew shared their experiences with kids and adults from around the world through the RASB blog and their individual Twitter and Facebook accounts. By April a final launch date was set for NET May 8th.
The BTS-1 Team
Pilot: Fuzz Aldrin
Fuzz Aldrin is the ambassador for Bears on Patrol, a non-profit organization that provides teddy bears to children involved in traumatic events. Fuzz says his goal in this mission is “to promote science education and peace for our children.”
Follow Fuzz Aldrin on Twitter and Facebook
Mission Commander: Camilla SDO
Camilla Corona SDO is the mascot for NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) a spacecraft launched in 2010 and is dedicated to studying the Sun. Camilla is BFF with the SDO and hopes to reunite in space one day. In the mean time they interact through social media and Camilla shares SDO’s science with everyone here back on Earth.
Follow Camilla on Facebook and Twitter!
Mission Specialist 1: Skye Bleu
Skye Bleu is the flying pig STEM emissary for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Before launch Skye reported, “With the right equipment, anyone can fly! I was born to get people excited about all the places that math,science and technology can take you.”
Follow Skye Bleu on Facebook and Twitter!
The Launch
On the morning of Sunday May 8th, the crew and launch/recovery team gathered at the UH Downtown campus. The excitement was tangible as the crew went over final launch details while the launch/recovery team began preparations for lift off. Final weather showed clouds at 3,000 feet with surface winds at 15kts. Perfect for a balloon launch.
(click on any image to make them larger…)
The BTS-1 crew discuss launch procedures shortly before their morning launch.
The crew is strapped into the capsule while the Close Out crew do final instrument checks.
The Close Out Crew seal the BTS-1 capsule.
The recovery parachute was carefully checked and stowed for launch.
BTS-1 being transported to Launch Complex UH-D.
The BTS-1 Launch Team filling the balloon with helium while the crew perform final instrument checks. CDR Camilla reports everything nominal and we are "Go" for launch.
10, 9, 8 , 7, 6, we have main engine start, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and….
Lift Off of BTS-1!
BTS-1 has cleared the tower and begins it journey!
The three friends climb upward and onward....
The last visual of BTS-1 as it climbed further downrange...
BTS-1 Recovery
Tracking of BTS-1 began immediately by using an APRS system. While the ascent was somewhat slow, the capsule migrated eastward at a pretty good speed.
The Recovery Team monitors the capsules direction and formulate a plan.
As the Recovery team departed, I decided to go home, but continued to monitor BTS-1 and her crew through Twitter and a phone app called APRS viewer.
By about ~2:15-2:30PM it looked like the capsule had landed somewhere east of Sabine Lake in LA. BTS-1 had flown one hell of a journey reaching what looked like ~80,000 ft.
(Interactive map trace.)
Route of BTS-1 from UH, Downtown to the east shore of Sabine Lake, LA
Last known position of BTS-1 before going out of radio range.
This location was inside the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge and not very accessible. By the end of the day on Sunday, after many hours of mosquito bitten searching in the nearby areas, the recovery effort was called off.
As of May 10th the crew and capsule had still not been found. Looks like the crew will be overnighting in the capsule for a while. Good thing they had survival training and plenty of cupcakes!
If you are in the Sabine Lake area, the recovery team is looking for people with boats/airboats! Please contact them at either one of the crew’s Facebook or Twitter accounts!
Update!
After many days of intense searching, the crew capsule was found on Friday May 13th! Congrats to the whole recovery team! Welcome back guys!
Thank you so much for being part of our mission and for reporting it so well. The goal to raise awareness was certainly met and we were able to draw thousands of people into the entire mission. Sometimes not everything works out as planned and then it is up to the team to solve the issues. I believe this mission had a little bit of everything and it showed that you can educate, inspire and have fun at the same time.
Again, thank you for all your support.
BTS-1 Commander Camilla SDO
you are very welcome Camilla and congratulations on a successful mission! you and your crew did an incredible job in letting people around the world know that space is accessible to anyone.
i look forward to helping with the next launch!
A beautiful story, beautifully told.
Thank you!
Thanks Siria!