GHOUL
GHOUL - Generalized Helium Outgassing Unit for Latex balloons
When Dr Mary Bowden and JJ Kuznetsov, a junior pursuing aerospace engineering and math at University of Maryland, attended workshop hosted by Montana Space Grant Consortium for NEBP (NASA's eclipse ballooning project), they found out that one of the main flight systems still in development was the venting system. While UMD NearSpace Balloon Payload Program has in past made several almost successful attempts building this system, JJ figured with the tribal knowledge and fresh skills and mindsets, BPP has potential to build our own venting system. Helios, a venting system developed by program in past, had a rich history within the Nearspace balloon payload program as it was initially designed by two talented seniors, Cooper and Joseph Breeden. Their work had set the standard for innovation and pushed the boundaries of what was possible within the program.
JJ, an enthusiastic and creative individual has always dreamed of contributing something significant to the program. He has a natural talent for engineering and loved to design and build things. So, he came up with an idea to create a new venting system for the balloon payload to control its ascent and descent during flights. Excited about his concept, JJ shared his idea with his friends and fellow payload enthusiasts, Michael Kalin and Kruti Bhingradiya. Michael and Kruti were intrigued by JJ's proposal and immediately agreed to help him bring his vision to life. They formed a small team dedicated to creating new past payload design, while still keeping the name Helios.
However, as luck would have it, the initial design iteration of Helios leaked during its launchpad test, causing a setback for the team. Determined not to give up, JJ, Michael, and Kruti took this as an opportunity to learn from their mistakes and create an even better design iteration. They named their new creation "Ghoul." The journey to create the perfect payload design was not an easy one. Ghoul faced multiple challenges, including catastrophic launches and battery failures at high altitudes. However, JJ's unwavering dedication and his ability to inspire and lead the team kept their spirits high.
As time went on, two talented freshmen, Jack Bishop (JB) and Akemi, joined the Ghoul payload team. JB had an incredible knack for electronics and was passionate about designing circuits. Akemi, on the other hand, had a keen interest in temperature monitoring and control systems. Together, they formed an unstoppable force.While JB and Akemi worked on developing a temperature monitoring and control circuit for Ghoul, JJ's friend Daniel Grammer (DG) lent a helping hand to JJ with the venting flap opening mechanism. DG was a skilled technician and knew the ins and outs of mechanical engineering. With his expertise, he assisted JJ in refining the venting system to ensure it worked flawlessly.While JJ, DG, JB, and Akemi were focused on their respective areas of expertise, Michael Kalin worked diligently on the software side of things. His programming skills ensured that Ghoul's onboard systems could communicate and function seamlessly. Kruti, on the other hand, dedicated her efforts to perfecting the cutdown mechanisms, which allowed the payload to separate from the balloon and safely return to the ground after the mission.
As the team progressed, they faced numerous challenges and setbacks. But JJ's fearless leadership and the team's unwavering commitment pushed them forward. They learned from each failure and used those lessons to improve their design. During their journey, the team received guidance and support from a computer engineering major named Michael Shipman. Michael was well-versed in creating printed circuit boards and provided invaluable expertise to the team, ensuring their electronic systems were optimized for performance.
Finally, after many iterations, late nights, and a lot of hard work, the team succeeded in creating a payload that had both a reliable venting system and a robust cutdown mechanism. With their newly improved Ghoul payload, the team embarked on a series of launches. The first few attempts ended in disappointment, but with each failure, they learned important lessons and made necessary adjustments. Finally, on the third launch, Ghoul soared into the sky, collecting valuable data and achieving its mission objectives. It was a moment of triumph for JJ and his team.
As the team prepared for future flights, they look back at their journey with gratitude. They know that their accomplishments are the result of a collective effort and the unwavering belief in their vision. With each launch, they are growing stronger, more skilled, and more passionate about engineering designs and nearspace exploration.