CubeSat Test Flight Prep: Part 1, Basics

Join the Discord: https://discord.gg/yeusgM75ys In this two-part episode we dive into how I launch #highaltitude #balloons to test #CubeSat prototypes. This first part is all about the basics: How does a HAB flight work, what do you need to consider in terms of safety and regulations and I am also going to share a few learnings from my previous 6 flights. In part 2 we will take a closer look at the CubeSat prototype I am going to test on the next flight. *Dev kit shop will be up in late 2025 / early 26* – get pinged: https://forms.gle/5a2UZdfcyUmFjTZd8 ## 🛰️ Support This Project If you are looking for a way to support this channel, leave a tip or become a member :) - Channel Memberships: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLf9aKlW-TbC8zbrl0OvKLQ/join - Patreon: https://patreon.com/buildacubesat - Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/buildacubesat - PayPal: https://tinyurl.com/bac-paypal-donation ## ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:25 Space vs. Near-Space 00:57 Basic HAB Setup 01:27 Flight Profile 01:54 Safety and Regulations 02:48 Advanced HAB Setup 04:18 Trajectory Prediction 05:39 #baloon Selection 07:00 How Much #helium ? 07:30 Backup Balloons and Filling Adaptors 08:16 #parachute Selection 09:50 Primary Flight Goals 10:54 Secondary Flight Goals 12:29 Limitations of HAB Flight Testing 13:25 Thanks and Outro ## 🏔️ Repo Links - Show Notes: https://codeberg.org/buildacubesat-project/bac-docs/src/branch/main/content/s02e04 - Upcoming content: https://codeberg.org/buildacubesat-project/bac-docs/src/branch/main/content/content-plan.md ## 🎈 Learn More about HABs - https://www.daveakerman.com/?p=1732 - https://eclipse.montana.edu/education/engineering-course/eng-lesson06-balloonbasics.pdf - https://overlookhorizon.com/how-to-launch-weather-balloons/ - https://stratostar.com/can-i-launch-a-weather-balloon/ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7JSeQEjvnY ## 🧰 Resources and Tools - habhub: https://habhub.org - habhub on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/sondehub - Random Engineering: http://randomsolutions.co.uk/ - Descent Rate Calculator: http://randomsolutions.co.uk/Random_Aerospace//Parachutes_files/widget10_markup.html - QRP Labs LightAPRS 2.0: https://qrp-labs.com/lightaprs-w ## 😬 Errata I mispronounced "descent" throughout the video, sorry. ## 👏 Credits - 04:08 Burst Photo Sequence by Patrick Cullis: https://www.patrickcullis.com/high-altitude-balloons.html - Thumbnail Photo by Dani Rolli: https://danirol.li Need a friendly, non-corporate GitHub/GitLab alternative? Check out https://codeberg.org/ --- #buildacubesat #episode #s02e04