Step 1: Set-up Site

• Chairs and Tables Placed

• Materials Organized

Step 2:   Command Center Established

• Canopy Set-Up

• Tables Placed Under Canopy for Projection Team

Step 3: Balloon Inflation Site Set-Up

• Tarp Spread Out

• Helium Tank Placed

Step 4: Begin Inflation

• Inflation Tube Attached

• Valve Open

• The inflation was done very slowly.

• When there was enough helium in the balloon so that it would float on its own, the valve was closed.

Step 5: Initial Projections

• The projection team used the tools on the Internet to predict the landing site.

• The landing site was predicted to be in the center of the populated city of Frederick, MD.

• A better landing site was predicted if we delayed the launch two hours.

• The payload should land in a less populated location North of Frederick.

• The launch time was changed from 10 am to noon.

Step 6: Loading the Payload

• Each device was carefully placed in the box.

• The box contained two cameras, a data collector, a battery charger, and a tracking device.

• The electronics were not turned on at this point.

Step 7: Helium Calculations

• After much debate, the projection team used a tool called the "Balloon Burst Calculator" to determine the amount of helium needed to land in a good location.

• The amount of helium was reported to the inflation team.

Step 8: Complete Inflation

• The amount of mass necessary to counter the balloon lift force was determined.

• This amount of mass was placed in a bucket.

• The bucket was attached to the inflation tube.

• When there was enough helium in the balloon to lift the bucket, the valve on the helium tank was closed.

Step 9: Finishing the Balloon

• The tying expert used her skills to tie the balloon.

• The payload string was attached to a loop on the tied balloon.

• Tape was used to hold all of the connections together.

Step 10: Finishing the Payload Box

• The data collector was turned on.

• The tracking devices were turned on.

• The Internet was used to verify that the trackers were working.

• The cameras were turned on.

• All of the items were secured inside the box.

• The box was sealed.

Step 11: The Payload Train

• The sealed box was tied to the string from the balloon eighty feet away.

• A cut-down device, parachute, radar reflector, and another tracking device was attached to the payload string.

• All of the connections were checked.

Step 12: The Launch

• The balloon was slowly released as the payload train carefully followed.

• When the box reached the front of the line, it was released.