📄️ Building An Atmospheric Test Lab
The third time I heard about pico balloons I was fascinated with them. It was Dr. Matthew Patrick who hooked me, describing a world filled with science and nerds and launching things into the upper reaches of the atmosphere.
📄️ Going Beyond Areal Density in Balloon Film
I received two sets of 10 x 60" "Cymylar" balloons purchased from Yiwu Creative Balloon on the Alibaba site. I paid $62.68 including shipping, import charges, and sales tax, averaging out to $3.13/balloon.
📄️ Mitutoyo 547-401 Digital Thickness Gauge Setup, Menu Guide & Calibration
The Mitutoyo 547-401 is a 0–12mm Digimatic digital thickness gauge with 0.001mm (1 micron) resolution and ±3µm accuracy, commonly used for measuring thin film, paper, and plastic sheet. I'm using it for weather balloon envelope material.
📄️ Design & Build A Custom Thermal Vacuum Shroud
I've been head down lately putting together all the various parts for this stratlab build, and today's post is focused on building out the ability to monitor and control what happens inside the vacuum chamber.