Pantheon

Pantheon Team - JPL Small Satellite Technology Weather Balloon Design Project [pantheondesignproject.wordpress.com]

Introduction
Project Goal: To demonstrate a proof of concept for a radio science technique to measure the dynamics of a planetary atmosphere using a capsule in flight.

Pantheon Team Members: Mentor: Instructor:
 * Aaron Kitchen
 * Rhys Perry
 * Philip Petersen
 * Jessica Slater
 * David Eld
 * Touraj Assefi

Project Deliverables
 * Power bench test of a communication Transmitter/Receiver system
 * Measure and record the frequency of received signal at prescribed sampling rates
 * Select between several types of antennas for the transmitter system and receiver antenna
 * Capsule antenna will be linearly polarized, low gain (Omni directional)
 * Receiving antenna will be directional antenna
 * Include one (preferably two) independent methods of verifying the measured wind speeds
 * Including tracking the capsule trajectory from GPS measurements
 * Provide end to end air test of the transmitter-receiver system
 * Demonstrate frequency measurement capabilities
 * Doppler tracking of transmitter
 * Flight demonstration (if weather permits)
 * Hardware design along with ground and flight test results to be presented to JPL Radio-science Subsystem Group in Spring 2014
 * Prepare an abstract and paper to be presented in June 2014

Project Work
Project Specifications
 * Weight: 6 pounds
 * Size: 10 cm3
 * Temperature: -50 degrees C
 * Max height/elevation: 90,000 feet
 * Flight Time: 2-3 hours
 * Meet FCC broadcasting regulations
 * Working model for 100-400 MHz range
 * Consistently receive/transmit signal
 * FCC Hamm licensing

Project Learning:

Mechanical Engineering:

Current Cube Structure Prototype:



Structure Material

Electrical Engineering: