Yesterday we flew Away 128 to 111,194 feet. The vehicle carried PongSats, three cameras, an upgraded balloon release system, a six degree of freedom tracking system for the Ascender airship and the regular host of vehicle flight systems.
Another Run to the Edge of Space
May 16th, 2018Airship Float Pics
April 27th, 2018Anthony checking one of the pressurization pumps on the Ascender 9 airship.
Kevin taking a break while 340 pounds of airship floats overhead.
Starboard helium fill team starting fill on cell five of the Ascender airship.
Travis and Kevin holding their rather large party balloon. They held the safety lines while we did little back and forth flights across the building.
Ascender 9 Float Test
April 27th, 2018The float test was an intense day, about 16 hours from first power up to locking the door. The team performed spectacularly.
Here we’re walking the airship back to give us some room to run the engines.
She Flies!
April 22nd, 2018Yesterday we conducted the second float and system integration test of the Ascender 9 airship.
Ascender 9 in the New Hanger
April 17th, 2018Over the last few days we’re been assembling the Ascender 9 airship in her new digs. first was the truss assemble, then an envelope only (no guts) test inflation.
Over the next few days we’ll be installing systems.
Orbital Ascender
April 9th, 2018Pics of our X vehicle above and below with an artists conception of our goal in the middle.
Just trying to keep focused on a Monday.
Next Stop the Edge of Space
March 5th, 2018The next step on the air beam is to haul it up to 100,000 feet and test it. Saturday we test fit the beam on a High Rack balloon platform. This spring we’ll send it up.
