Since April, I have been working with Sam Flynn (https://drook.dev) to make this balloon payload, UpLink.
We did a similar launch last year with Hack Club but this was our first independent launch.
UpLink was a 491 gram payload testing the insulation properties of 3D printing filaments, while also transmitting 320x240 images over a radio link -- up from the 18x10 images last year!
This is a writeup on our engineering process, mistakes made, and learning experiences.
It covers: - Custom electronics designed in KiCad - Firmware design - Results from the data we received on the ground - Image transmission - Launch day logistics, and where things went wrong All hardware, software, firmware, and CAD is available on GitHub: https://github.com/radeeyate/UpLink, licensed + certified as open source hardware: https://certification.oshwa.org/us002826.html If you just want to see the images received, I put up a gallery here: https://uplink.gallery.radi8.dev/ If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, let me know.
I'm happy to answer anything!
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