Anti-aircraft mineamp

Intercontinental launching balloon bombs through jet stream

By Anna Farahmand and Michael Webber Feb 2012

ldquoI do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success Such emotions make a man forget food sleep friends love everythingrdquo

Nikola Tesla

The copy write belongs to the authors ---No legal action will be enteredinto regarding the copying printing or sharing of this document in itsunaltered form So

please copy upload and share the wisdom of this document

Keep in touch with us hereMichael Webber dead-phoenix-pressxemapscomAnna Farahmand annafarahmandyahoocom

This document contains one movie attached

ldquoI do not think there is any thrill that can go through the human heart like that felt by the inventor as he sees some creation of the brain unfolding to success Such emotions make a man forget food sleep friends love everythingrdquo

Nikola Tesla

The copy write belongs to the authors ---No legal action will be enteredinto regarding the copying printing or sharing of this document in itsunaltered form So

please copy upload and share the wisdom of this document

Keep in touch with us hereMichael Webber dead-phoenix-pressxemapscomAnna Farahmand annafarahmandyahoocom

This document contains one movie attached

Preface

I would say that I am very curious to solve problems and simplify high technologies to be understandable by every one Thats been apparent since I was very young If there was something around the house that needed to be fixed or wasnt right (at least in my mind) I couldnt think about anything else except solving that problem My parents would sometimes call this a wild hair I guess you could say that building and launching a balloon for special puposes became a wild hair of mine because once the idea came to me there wasnt anything that was going to stop me from doing it

I was a teen when I had started reading a really excellent biography of Benjamin Franklin by HW Brands I think that reading about Franklins lifelong passion for experimentation and invention reawakened my own passion because not long after I started reading the book I had a dream about building my own balloon with special payload The idea came to me in late August and was inspired by a number of different factors In that time I was living in a small city and my hobbies were studding and working at my own small chemistry lab The Franklins experiment with kit and my knowledge of making chemical encouraged me to make a balloon filled with hydrogen gas and small explosive and delay igniter as payload

I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted the balloon to do A day after when I woke I told my idea to my friends who were all young teens and believed in my plan So I askedthem to provide my primary requirements such as zinc or iron slug sulfuric acid 100liter plastic bag As iron metal reacts so slowly with diluted sulfuric acid I decided to use the zinc The metal that wasnrsquot easily available in our small town that time so I searched for a new resource and I found it in dry batteries They have a very pure container of zinc that can easily be dismantled Every one gathered wasted batteries and we started separation of zinc from them It took some hours

I have already prepared explosive powder of highly pulverized potassium permanganate aluminum powder and sulfur with the volume ratios 431 respectively to emit an intensive visible signal I also used a cotton wick for long delay because the sky wasnrsquot cloudy or rainy to extinguish it and a small piece of nitrated cotton was used as a relay to activate explosive powder One of my friends brought a big bottle for reacting zinc with the acid to conduct hydrogen gas to the bag While the bag gradually filled with gas every one wanted to know what will happen next and I answered them calmly ldquobe patient and seerdquoFinally the bag filled enough to carry my payload and I tied the bag to the payload We carefully ignited the cotton wick and launched the balloon The balloon rose rapidly and disappeared in the darkness of night but five minutes later an intensive flash lit up the night Every one embraced me and enjoyed of what we did together I enjoyed it but there was fear on the insiderdquo Potential hazards of such experimentrdquo because mad science means never stopping to ask Whats the worst that could happen A few days later I met some

neighborhood friends away from the test while they were talking about a mysterious object in the sky that exploded and disappeared I didnrsquot tell them anything about what I did and I didnrsquot say about my experience to any one till some years ago maybe because of moral reason But I believe that anything even moral reasons are not permanent and absolute So I decided to develop the idea and publish all features beyond it

In this paper that was inspired by nature I am going to introduce Defence systems using nature Among them are balloon bombs used for air defense or launching them through jet stream It is surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books and you canrsquot find any useful information about them on the web Thatrsquos why I am interestedto publish this document

Till now I have published an article titled ldquomass destruction of ozone layer an analytical approach to future weather weaponsrdquo and the document presented here is my second work to show more potential hazards of such weapons and in a new document that will be published soon I will explain how to use balloon to establish a new communication system as improvised networking My future project based on nature will explain how to use nature to disable over 80 of dropping bombs or missiles with the lowest cost except those with the nuclear warheads These are all my hobbies not necessarily my job or supporting of special groups Although such documents are knife-edged but I believe they are useful for frightening Militant governments They might be the passengers of next plane crash

Anna Farahmand Feb 2012

Introduction

Before examining technical issues relating to anti-aircraft mines as an effective way touse in air defense it is necessary to explain its history related to this technology With the invention of the airplane in the early twentieth century and the development of thisindustry the vulnerability of such invention was recognized by the phenomenen called bird strik that is the risk of birds colliding with aircraftBird strikes are a significant threat to flight safety and have caused a number of accidents with human casualties [1]

Bird strikes happen most often during takeoff or landing or during low altitude flight[2] However bird strikes have also been reported at high altitudes some as high as 6000 m (20000 ft) to 9000 m (30000 ft) above the groundAccording to the FAA wildlife hazard management manual for 2005 less than 8 of strikes occur above 900 m (3000 ft) and 61 occur at less than 30 m (100 ft)

The force of the impact on an aircraft depends on the weight of the animal and the speed difference and direction at the impact The energy of the impact increases with the square of the speed difference Hence a low-speed impact of a small bird on a car windshield causes relatively little damage High speed impacts as with jet aircraft can cause considerable damage and even catastrophic to the vehicle

The energy of a 5 kg (11 lb) bird moving at a relative velocity of 275 kmh (171 mph) approximately equals the energy of a 100 kg (220 lb) weight dropped from a height of 15meters (49 ft)Note however that the momentum (as distinct from the kinetic energy) of the bird in this example inconsiderably less than that of the tonne weight and therefore the force required to deflect it is also considerably less

The Federal Aviation Administration estimates the problem costs US aviation 600million dollars annually and has resulted in over 200 worldwide deaths since 1988 In the United Kingdom the Central Science Laboratory estimates that worldwide the cost of birdstrikes to airlines is around US$12 billion annually This cost includes direct repair cost and lost revenue opportunities while the damaged aircraft is out of service [3]

Here are some pictures to see this event [4]

Refrences

1 Sodhi Navjot S (2002) Competition in the air birds versus aircrafthttpfindarticlescomparticlesmi_qa3793is_200207ai_n9133434pg_1The Auk 119 (3) 587ndash595doi1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2 httpdxdoiorg1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2

2 Richardson W John (1994)Serious birdstrike-related accidents to military aircraft of ten countries preliminary analysis of circumstances (PDF) Bird Strike Committee Europe BSCE 22WP22 Viennahttpwwwint-birdstrikeorgVienna_PapersIBSC22 WP21pdf

3 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFederal_Aviation_Administration

4httpwwwfabmilbrportaloperacoes_aereascruzex5indexphppage=mostraampid=344ampidioma=1

Shooting down airplanes with balloons

Like all great armed conflicts the Second World War brought an industrial and technological revolution to all warring nations Oddly enough despite the military innovation of that period to fight bombings over cities and other strategic targets armies turned to an 18th century invention aerostatsMoored balloons played a key role in the defense of London the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of Moscow where this system was employed in its most massive and sophisticated waywith the development of aviation and the first bombers which had a rather low flight ceiling and lacked of bombsights to accurately drop their load aerostats became useful for a new aim to deny low-level flights by creating nets of moored balloons The risk of crashing into the tethering cables or the balloons itself pushed enemy airplanes to fly at higher altitude to bomb their targets thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy while enhancing ground-based air defenses and intercepting fightersThe British Army was the first to use barrage balloons During the last years of World War I barrage balloons were deployed to protect London against German bombers Each one of those early barrages consisted of an apron of three blimps 500 yards apart joined together by a heavy steel cable which was raised up to 10000 feet highhe balloons that protected London over a year had a very successful performance since they practically denied the low-level attacks by the enemy bombers and allowed anti-aircraft guns and RAF fighters to engage Luftwaffe planes in the narrow expanse of airspace leftThe success achieved by the barrage balloons in the First World War led the British to use more than 2000 of them during the Second one Besides some technical improvements the main change in the way of using barrage balloons was leaving aside the apron concept Instead single balloons were used because they could be sent aloft more quickly and were easier to operate During those years balloons were not just used to protect London but lots of other strategic sites like airfields harbors and important buildings A 20meters long and 8 meters wide balloon above aspecific target meant a great added hindrance to any attempt of dive bombing like the ones carried out by the well known Stukas which threw themselves into the targets to drop their bombs

Although since World War I the airplanes had improved their capacity to fly at high altitude Nazis were still unhinged by the presence of barrage balloons and would try their best to destroy them by all possible means from air missions devoted to shoot them down to equipping their bombers with all kinds of devices in order to dodge and cut the

anchoring cables All those attempts turned out too costly and not much effective since the fallen balloons were replaced shortlyBesides the Battle of Britain the allies also used aerostats in several other occasions like the defense of the US West Coast in 1942 or the deployment across northern Africa and the Mediterranean Among all those occasions the main turning point would be the Invasion of Normandy when hundreds of ships sailed protected by barrage balloons to deter any attack from German planes

The USSR found inspiration in the British experience in World War I and the battle of Britain and would decide to use aerostats to fight the massive bombings carried out by the Luftwaffe over Moscow during 1941 and 1942 in Hitlerrsquos attempt to take the city

Soviet defenses against German air force were set up along three concentric circles in a radius of 120 kilometers from Moscow city center were located several airfields in order to intercept German bombers within a range from 150 to 200 kilometers away from the capital subsequently in a radius of 35 kilometers were deployed the first anti-aircraft guns and finally within a radius of 8 kilometers around the Kremlin were scattered hundreds of barrage balloons following a chessboard pattern covering all city center and the most important buildingsEach post of the net consisted of a 12 people team and 2 identical blimps which would be sent aloft separately reaching a maximum height of 8200 feet or in tandem mode reaching a maximum height of 14700 feet

Diagram of barrage balloons used in tandem mode

Besides the benefits already mentioned offered by the barrage balloons Soviet blimps had mines attached to their anchoring cables Thereby in case a German plane struck a cable it wouldnrsquot just get seriously damaged and crash but may explode in the air after pulling the contact bomb against its fuselage Since 1941 until the end of the Battle of Moscow 120 German planes crashed due to impacts against the steel cables and 35exploded in flight after detonating a hanging mine Diagram

As a result of the large amount of casualties the Luftwaffe sent fighters to shoot down the barrage balloons but they were replaced so quickly and Nazi planes used to receive such a heavy response by Soviet fighters and ground defenses that finally switched to night bombings The Soviet response to jeopardize the enemy bombers was to keep the barrage balloons in the air at night and lower them before dawn The total number of blimps deployed was over 3000 units which were sent aloft more than 300000 times during the war Luftwaffe lost over Moscow 491 planes including those shot down by anti-aircraft guns and those brought down after crashing into barrage balloons

Another weapon used in middle of 20 century was devices called UP and AA Mine Discharger UP was unrotated British Projectile rocket launched parachute aerial mine system for ship Defence

The AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing seven individual mines each approximately 1116ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches (76 mm) long Each mine was equipped with its own parachute When fired the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3000 to 4000 feet (900 to 1200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc They would then float down on their parachutes They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period damaging nearby aircraft

The weapon could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

neighborhood friends away from the test while they were talking about a mysterious object in the sky that exploded and disappeared I didnrsquot tell them anything about what I did and I didnrsquot say about my experience to any one till some years ago maybe because of moral reason But I believe that anything even moral reasons are not permanent and absolute So I decided to develop the idea and publish all features beyond it

In this paper that was inspired by nature I am going to introduce Defence systems using nature Among them are balloon bombs used for air defense or launching them through jet stream It is surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books and you canrsquot find any useful information about them on the web Thatrsquos why I am interestedto publish this document

Till now I have published an article titled ldquomass destruction of ozone layer an analytical approach to future weather weaponsrdquo and the document presented here is my second work to show more potential hazards of such weapons and in a new document that will be published soon I will explain how to use balloon to establish a new communication system as improvised networking My future project based on nature will explain how to use nature to disable over 80 of dropping bombs or missiles with the lowest cost except those with the nuclear warheads These are all my hobbies not necessarily my job or supporting of special groups Although such documents are knife-edged but I believe they are useful for frightening Militant governments They might be the passengers of next plane crash

Anna Farahmand Feb 2012

Introduction

Before examining technical issues relating to anti-aircraft mines as an effective way touse in air defense it is necessary to explain its history related to this technology With the invention of the airplane in the early twentieth century and the development of thisindustry the vulnerability of such invention was recognized by the phenomenen called bird strik that is the risk of birds colliding with aircraftBird strikes are a significant threat to flight safety and have caused a number of accidents with human casualties [1]

Bird strikes happen most often during takeoff or landing or during low altitude flight[2] However bird strikes have also been reported at high altitudes some as high as 6000 m (20000 ft) to 9000 m (30000 ft) above the groundAccording to the FAA wildlife hazard management manual for 2005 less than 8 of strikes occur above 900 m (3000 ft) and 61 occur at less than 30 m (100 ft)

The force of the impact on an aircraft depends on the weight of the animal and the speed difference and direction at the impact The energy of the impact increases with the square of the speed difference Hence a low-speed impact of a small bird on a car windshield causes relatively little damage High speed impacts as with jet aircraft can cause considerable damage and even catastrophic to the vehicle

The energy of a 5 kg (11 lb) bird moving at a relative velocity of 275 kmh (171 mph) approximately equals the energy of a 100 kg (220 lb) weight dropped from a height of 15meters (49 ft)Note however that the momentum (as distinct from the kinetic energy) of the bird in this example inconsiderably less than that of the tonne weight and therefore the force required to deflect it is also considerably less

The Federal Aviation Administration estimates the problem costs US aviation 600million dollars annually and has resulted in over 200 worldwide deaths since 1988 In the United Kingdom the Central Science Laboratory estimates that worldwide the cost of birdstrikes to airlines is around US$12 billion annually This cost includes direct repair cost and lost revenue opportunities while the damaged aircraft is out of service [3]

Here are some pictures to see this event [4]

Refrences

1 Sodhi Navjot S (2002) Competition in the air birds versus aircrafthttpfindarticlescomparticlesmi_qa3793is_200207ai_n9133434pg_1The Auk 119 (3) 587ndash595doi1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2 httpdxdoiorg1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2

2 Richardson W John (1994)Serious birdstrike-related accidents to military aircraft of ten countries preliminary analysis of circumstances (PDF) Bird Strike Committee Europe BSCE 22WP22 Viennahttpwwwint-birdstrikeorgVienna_PapersIBSC22 WP21pdf

3 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFederal_Aviation_Administration

4httpwwwfabmilbrportaloperacoes_aereascruzex5indexphppage=mostraampid=344ampidioma=1

Shooting down airplanes with balloons

Like all great armed conflicts the Second World War brought an industrial and technological revolution to all warring nations Oddly enough despite the military innovation of that period to fight bombings over cities and other strategic targets armies turned to an 18th century invention aerostatsMoored balloons played a key role in the defense of London the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of Moscow where this system was employed in its most massive and sophisticated waywith the development of aviation and the first bombers which had a rather low flight ceiling and lacked of bombsights to accurately drop their load aerostats became useful for a new aim to deny low-level flights by creating nets of moored balloons The risk of crashing into the tethering cables or the balloons itself pushed enemy airplanes to fly at higher altitude to bomb their targets thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy while enhancing ground-based air defenses and intercepting fightersThe British Army was the first to use barrage balloons During the last years of World War I barrage balloons were deployed to protect London against German bombers Each one of those early barrages consisted of an apron of three blimps 500 yards apart joined together by a heavy steel cable which was raised up to 10000 feet highhe balloons that protected London over a year had a very successful performance since they practically denied the low-level attacks by the enemy bombers and allowed anti-aircraft guns and RAF fighters to engage Luftwaffe planes in the narrow expanse of airspace leftThe success achieved by the barrage balloons in the First World War led the British to use more than 2000 of them during the Second one Besides some technical improvements the main change in the way of using barrage balloons was leaving aside the apron concept Instead single balloons were used because they could be sent aloft more quickly and were easier to operate During those years balloons were not just used to protect London but lots of other strategic sites like airfields harbors and important buildings A 20meters long and 8 meters wide balloon above aspecific target meant a great added hindrance to any attempt of dive bombing like the ones carried out by the well known Stukas which threw themselves into the targets to drop their bombs

Although since World War I the airplanes had improved their capacity to fly at high altitude Nazis were still unhinged by the presence of barrage balloons and would try their best to destroy them by all possible means from air missions devoted to shoot them down to equipping their bombers with all kinds of devices in order to dodge and cut the

anchoring cables All those attempts turned out too costly and not much effective since the fallen balloons were replaced shortlyBesides the Battle of Britain the allies also used aerostats in several other occasions like the defense of the US West Coast in 1942 or the deployment across northern Africa and the Mediterranean Among all those occasions the main turning point would be the Invasion of Normandy when hundreds of ships sailed protected by barrage balloons to deter any attack from German planes

The USSR found inspiration in the British experience in World War I and the battle of Britain and would decide to use aerostats to fight the massive bombings carried out by the Luftwaffe over Moscow during 1941 and 1942 in Hitlerrsquos attempt to take the city

Soviet defenses against German air force were set up along three concentric circles in a radius of 120 kilometers from Moscow city center were located several airfields in order to intercept German bombers within a range from 150 to 200 kilometers away from the capital subsequently in a radius of 35 kilometers were deployed the first anti-aircraft guns and finally within a radius of 8 kilometers around the Kremlin were scattered hundreds of barrage balloons following a chessboard pattern covering all city center and the most important buildingsEach post of the net consisted of a 12 people team and 2 identical blimps which would be sent aloft separately reaching a maximum height of 8200 feet or in tandem mode reaching a maximum height of 14700 feet

Diagram of barrage balloons used in tandem mode

Besides the benefits already mentioned offered by the barrage balloons Soviet blimps had mines attached to their anchoring cables Thereby in case a German plane struck a cable it wouldnrsquot just get seriously damaged and crash but may explode in the air after pulling the contact bomb against its fuselage Since 1941 until the end of the Battle of Moscow 120 German planes crashed due to impacts against the steel cables and 35exploded in flight after detonating a hanging mine Diagram

As a result of the large amount of casualties the Luftwaffe sent fighters to shoot down the barrage balloons but they were replaced so quickly and Nazi planes used to receive such a heavy response by Soviet fighters and ground defenses that finally switched to night bombings The Soviet response to jeopardize the enemy bombers was to keep the barrage balloons in the air at night and lower them before dawn The total number of blimps deployed was over 3000 units which were sent aloft more than 300000 times during the war Luftwaffe lost over Moscow 491 planes including those shot down by anti-aircraft guns and those brought down after crashing into barrage balloons

Another weapon used in middle of 20 century was devices called UP and AA Mine Discharger UP was unrotated British Projectile rocket launched parachute aerial mine system for ship Defence

The AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing seven individual mines each approximately 1116ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches (76 mm) long Each mine was equipped with its own parachute When fired the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3000 to 4000 feet (900 to 1200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc They would then float down on their parachutes They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period damaging nearby aircraft

The weapon could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Introduction

Before examining technical issues relating to anti-aircraft mines as an effective way touse in air defense it is necessary to explain its history related to this technology With the invention of the airplane in the early twentieth century and the development of thisindustry the vulnerability of such invention was recognized by the phenomenen called bird strik that is the risk of birds colliding with aircraftBird strikes are a significant threat to flight safety and have caused a number of accidents with human casualties [1]

Bird strikes happen most often during takeoff or landing or during low altitude flight[2] However bird strikes have also been reported at high altitudes some as high as 6000 m (20000 ft) to 9000 m (30000 ft) above the groundAccording to the FAA wildlife hazard management manual for 2005 less than 8 of strikes occur above 900 m (3000 ft) and 61 occur at less than 30 m (100 ft)

The force of the impact on an aircraft depends on the weight of the animal and the speed difference and direction at the impact The energy of the impact increases with the square of the speed difference Hence a low-speed impact of a small bird on a car windshield causes relatively little damage High speed impacts as with jet aircraft can cause considerable damage and even catastrophic to the vehicle

The energy of a 5 kg (11 lb) bird moving at a relative velocity of 275 kmh (171 mph) approximately equals the energy of a 100 kg (220 lb) weight dropped from a height of 15meters (49 ft)Note however that the momentum (as distinct from the kinetic energy) of the bird in this example inconsiderably less than that of the tonne weight and therefore the force required to deflect it is also considerably less

The Federal Aviation Administration estimates the problem costs US aviation 600million dollars annually and has resulted in over 200 worldwide deaths since 1988 In the United Kingdom the Central Science Laboratory estimates that worldwide the cost of birdstrikes to airlines is around US$12 billion annually This cost includes direct repair cost and lost revenue opportunities while the damaged aircraft is out of service [3]

Here are some pictures to see this event [4]

Refrences

1 Sodhi Navjot S (2002) Competition in the air birds versus aircrafthttpfindarticlescomparticlesmi_qa3793is_200207ai_n9133434pg_1The Auk 119 (3) 587ndash595doi1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2 httpdxdoiorg1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2

2 Richardson W John (1994)Serious birdstrike-related accidents to military aircraft of ten countries preliminary analysis of circumstances (PDF) Bird Strike Committee Europe BSCE 22WP22 Viennahttpwwwint-birdstrikeorgVienna_PapersIBSC22 WP21pdf

3 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFederal_Aviation_Administration

4httpwwwfabmilbrportaloperacoes_aereascruzex5indexphppage=mostraampid=344ampidioma=1

Shooting down airplanes with balloons

Like all great armed conflicts the Second World War brought an industrial and technological revolution to all warring nations Oddly enough despite the military innovation of that period to fight bombings over cities and other strategic targets armies turned to an 18th century invention aerostatsMoored balloons played a key role in the defense of London the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of Moscow where this system was employed in its most massive and sophisticated waywith the development of aviation and the first bombers which had a rather low flight ceiling and lacked of bombsights to accurately drop their load aerostats became useful for a new aim to deny low-level flights by creating nets of moored balloons The risk of crashing into the tethering cables or the balloons itself pushed enemy airplanes to fly at higher altitude to bomb their targets thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy while enhancing ground-based air defenses and intercepting fightersThe British Army was the first to use barrage balloons During the last years of World War I barrage balloons were deployed to protect London against German bombers Each one of those early barrages consisted of an apron of three blimps 500 yards apart joined together by a heavy steel cable which was raised up to 10000 feet highhe balloons that protected London over a year had a very successful performance since they practically denied the low-level attacks by the enemy bombers and allowed anti-aircraft guns and RAF fighters to engage Luftwaffe planes in the narrow expanse of airspace leftThe success achieved by the barrage balloons in the First World War led the British to use more than 2000 of them during the Second one Besides some technical improvements the main change in the way of using barrage balloons was leaving aside the apron concept Instead single balloons were used because they could be sent aloft more quickly and were easier to operate During those years balloons were not just used to protect London but lots of other strategic sites like airfields harbors and important buildings A 20meters long and 8 meters wide balloon above aspecific target meant a great added hindrance to any attempt of dive bombing like the ones carried out by the well known Stukas which threw themselves into the targets to drop their bombs

Although since World War I the airplanes had improved their capacity to fly at high altitude Nazis were still unhinged by the presence of barrage balloons and would try their best to destroy them by all possible means from air missions devoted to shoot them down to equipping their bombers with all kinds of devices in order to dodge and cut the

anchoring cables All those attempts turned out too costly and not much effective since the fallen balloons were replaced shortlyBesides the Battle of Britain the allies also used aerostats in several other occasions like the defense of the US West Coast in 1942 or the deployment across northern Africa and the Mediterranean Among all those occasions the main turning point would be the Invasion of Normandy when hundreds of ships sailed protected by barrage balloons to deter any attack from German planes

The USSR found inspiration in the British experience in World War I and the battle of Britain and would decide to use aerostats to fight the massive bombings carried out by the Luftwaffe over Moscow during 1941 and 1942 in Hitlerrsquos attempt to take the city

Soviet defenses against German air force were set up along three concentric circles in a radius of 120 kilometers from Moscow city center were located several airfields in order to intercept German bombers within a range from 150 to 200 kilometers away from the capital subsequently in a radius of 35 kilometers were deployed the first anti-aircraft guns and finally within a radius of 8 kilometers around the Kremlin were scattered hundreds of barrage balloons following a chessboard pattern covering all city center and the most important buildingsEach post of the net consisted of a 12 people team and 2 identical blimps which would be sent aloft separately reaching a maximum height of 8200 feet or in tandem mode reaching a maximum height of 14700 feet

Diagram of barrage balloons used in tandem mode

Besides the benefits already mentioned offered by the barrage balloons Soviet blimps had mines attached to their anchoring cables Thereby in case a German plane struck a cable it wouldnrsquot just get seriously damaged and crash but may explode in the air after pulling the contact bomb against its fuselage Since 1941 until the end of the Battle of Moscow 120 German planes crashed due to impacts against the steel cables and 35exploded in flight after detonating a hanging mine Diagram

As a result of the large amount of casualties the Luftwaffe sent fighters to shoot down the barrage balloons but they were replaced so quickly and Nazi planes used to receive such a heavy response by Soviet fighters and ground defenses that finally switched to night bombings The Soviet response to jeopardize the enemy bombers was to keep the barrage balloons in the air at night and lower them before dawn The total number of blimps deployed was over 3000 units which were sent aloft more than 300000 times during the war Luftwaffe lost over Moscow 491 planes including those shot down by anti-aircraft guns and those brought down after crashing into barrage balloons

Another weapon used in middle of 20 century was devices called UP and AA Mine Discharger UP was unrotated British Projectile rocket launched parachute aerial mine system for ship Defence

The AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing seven individual mines each approximately 1116ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches (76 mm) long Each mine was equipped with its own parachute When fired the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3000 to 4000 feet (900 to 1200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc They would then float down on their parachutes They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period damaging nearby aircraft

The weapon could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Refrences

1 Sodhi Navjot S (2002) Competition in the air birds versus aircrafthttpfindarticlescomparticlesmi_qa3793is_200207ai_n9133434pg_1The Auk 119 (3) 587ndash595doi1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2 httpdxdoiorg1016420004-8038(2002)119[0587CITABV]20CO2

2 Richardson W John (1994)Serious birdstrike-related accidents to military aircraft of ten countries preliminary analysis of circumstances (PDF) Bird Strike Committee Europe BSCE 22WP22 Viennahttpwwwint-birdstrikeorgVienna_PapersIBSC22 WP21pdf

3 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFederal_Aviation_Administration

4httpwwwfabmilbrportaloperacoes_aereascruzex5indexphppage=mostraampid=344ampidioma=1

Shooting down airplanes with balloons

Like all great armed conflicts the Second World War brought an industrial and technological revolution to all warring nations Oddly enough despite the military innovation of that period to fight bombings over cities and other strategic targets armies turned to an 18th century invention aerostatsMoored balloons played a key role in the defense of London the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of Moscow where this system was employed in its most massive and sophisticated waywith the development of aviation and the first bombers which had a rather low flight ceiling and lacked of bombsights to accurately drop their load aerostats became useful for a new aim to deny low-level flights by creating nets of moored balloons The risk of crashing into the tethering cables or the balloons itself pushed enemy airplanes to fly at higher altitude to bomb their targets thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy while enhancing ground-based air defenses and intercepting fightersThe British Army was the first to use barrage balloons During the last years of World War I barrage balloons were deployed to protect London against German bombers Each one of those early barrages consisted of an apron of three blimps 500 yards apart joined together by a heavy steel cable which was raised up to 10000 feet highhe balloons that protected London over a year had a very successful performance since they practically denied the low-level attacks by the enemy bombers and allowed anti-aircraft guns and RAF fighters to engage Luftwaffe planes in the narrow expanse of airspace leftThe success achieved by the barrage balloons in the First World War led the British to use more than 2000 of them during the Second one Besides some technical improvements the main change in the way of using barrage balloons was leaving aside the apron concept Instead single balloons were used because they could be sent aloft more quickly and were easier to operate During those years balloons were not just used to protect London but lots of other strategic sites like airfields harbors and important buildings A 20meters long and 8 meters wide balloon above aspecific target meant a great added hindrance to any attempt of dive bombing like the ones carried out by the well known Stukas which threw themselves into the targets to drop their bombs

Although since World War I the airplanes had improved their capacity to fly at high altitude Nazis were still unhinged by the presence of barrage balloons and would try their best to destroy them by all possible means from air missions devoted to shoot them down to equipping their bombers with all kinds of devices in order to dodge and cut the

anchoring cables All those attempts turned out too costly and not much effective since the fallen balloons were replaced shortlyBesides the Battle of Britain the allies also used aerostats in several other occasions like the defense of the US West Coast in 1942 or the deployment across northern Africa and the Mediterranean Among all those occasions the main turning point would be the Invasion of Normandy when hundreds of ships sailed protected by barrage balloons to deter any attack from German planes

The USSR found inspiration in the British experience in World War I and the battle of Britain and would decide to use aerostats to fight the massive bombings carried out by the Luftwaffe over Moscow during 1941 and 1942 in Hitlerrsquos attempt to take the city

Soviet defenses against German air force were set up along three concentric circles in a radius of 120 kilometers from Moscow city center were located several airfields in order to intercept German bombers within a range from 150 to 200 kilometers away from the capital subsequently in a radius of 35 kilometers were deployed the first anti-aircraft guns and finally within a radius of 8 kilometers around the Kremlin were scattered hundreds of barrage balloons following a chessboard pattern covering all city center and the most important buildingsEach post of the net consisted of a 12 people team and 2 identical blimps which would be sent aloft separately reaching a maximum height of 8200 feet or in tandem mode reaching a maximum height of 14700 feet

Diagram of barrage balloons used in tandem mode

Besides the benefits already mentioned offered by the barrage balloons Soviet blimps had mines attached to their anchoring cables Thereby in case a German plane struck a cable it wouldnrsquot just get seriously damaged and crash but may explode in the air after pulling the contact bomb against its fuselage Since 1941 until the end of the Battle of Moscow 120 German planes crashed due to impacts against the steel cables and 35exploded in flight after detonating a hanging mine Diagram

As a result of the large amount of casualties the Luftwaffe sent fighters to shoot down the barrage balloons but they were replaced so quickly and Nazi planes used to receive such a heavy response by Soviet fighters and ground defenses that finally switched to night bombings The Soviet response to jeopardize the enemy bombers was to keep the barrage balloons in the air at night and lower them before dawn The total number of blimps deployed was over 3000 units which were sent aloft more than 300000 times during the war Luftwaffe lost over Moscow 491 planes including those shot down by anti-aircraft guns and those brought down after crashing into barrage balloons

Another weapon used in middle of 20 century was devices called UP and AA Mine Discharger UP was unrotated British Projectile rocket launched parachute aerial mine system for ship Defence

The AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing seven individual mines each approximately 1116ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches (76 mm) long Each mine was equipped with its own parachute When fired the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3000 to 4000 feet (900 to 1200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc They would then float down on their parachutes They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period damaging nearby aircraft

The weapon could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Shooting down airplanes with balloons

Like all great armed conflicts the Second World War brought an industrial and technological revolution to all warring nations Oddly enough despite the military innovation of that period to fight bombings over cities and other strategic targets armies turned to an 18th century invention aerostatsMoored balloons played a key role in the defense of London the Invasion of Normandy and the Battle of Moscow where this system was employed in its most massive and sophisticated waywith the development of aviation and the first bombers which had a rather low flight ceiling and lacked of bombsights to accurately drop their load aerostats became useful for a new aim to deny low-level flights by creating nets of moored balloons The risk of crashing into the tethering cables or the balloons itself pushed enemy airplanes to fly at higher altitude to bomb their targets thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy while enhancing ground-based air defenses and intercepting fightersThe British Army was the first to use barrage balloons During the last years of World War I barrage balloons were deployed to protect London against German bombers Each one of those early barrages consisted of an apron of three blimps 500 yards apart joined together by a heavy steel cable which was raised up to 10000 feet highhe balloons that protected London over a year had a very successful performance since they practically denied the low-level attacks by the enemy bombers and allowed anti-aircraft guns and RAF fighters to engage Luftwaffe planes in the narrow expanse of airspace leftThe success achieved by the barrage balloons in the First World War led the British to use more than 2000 of them during the Second one Besides some technical improvements the main change in the way of using barrage balloons was leaving aside the apron concept Instead single balloons were used because they could be sent aloft more quickly and were easier to operate During those years balloons were not just used to protect London but lots of other strategic sites like airfields harbors and important buildings A 20meters long and 8 meters wide balloon above aspecific target meant a great added hindrance to any attempt of dive bombing like the ones carried out by the well known Stukas which threw themselves into the targets to drop their bombs

Although since World War I the airplanes had improved their capacity to fly at high altitude Nazis were still unhinged by the presence of barrage balloons and would try their best to destroy them by all possible means from air missions devoted to shoot them down to equipping their bombers with all kinds of devices in order to dodge and cut the

anchoring cables All those attempts turned out too costly and not much effective since the fallen balloons were replaced shortlyBesides the Battle of Britain the allies also used aerostats in several other occasions like the defense of the US West Coast in 1942 or the deployment across northern Africa and the Mediterranean Among all those occasions the main turning point would be the Invasion of Normandy when hundreds of ships sailed protected by barrage balloons to deter any attack from German planes

The USSR found inspiration in the British experience in World War I and the battle of Britain and would decide to use aerostats to fight the massive bombings carried out by the Luftwaffe over Moscow during 1941 and 1942 in Hitlerrsquos attempt to take the city

Soviet defenses against German air force were set up along three concentric circles in a radius of 120 kilometers from Moscow city center were located several airfields in order to intercept German bombers within a range from 150 to 200 kilometers away from the capital subsequently in a radius of 35 kilometers were deployed the first anti-aircraft guns and finally within a radius of 8 kilometers around the Kremlin were scattered hundreds of barrage balloons following a chessboard pattern covering all city center and the most important buildingsEach post of the net consisted of a 12 people team and 2 identical blimps which would be sent aloft separately reaching a maximum height of 8200 feet or in tandem mode reaching a maximum height of 14700 feet

Diagram of barrage balloons used in tandem mode

Besides the benefits already mentioned offered by the barrage balloons Soviet blimps had mines attached to their anchoring cables Thereby in case a German plane struck a cable it wouldnrsquot just get seriously damaged and crash but may explode in the air after pulling the contact bomb against its fuselage Since 1941 until the end of the Battle of Moscow 120 German planes crashed due to impacts against the steel cables and 35exploded in flight after detonating a hanging mine Diagram

As a result of the large amount of casualties the Luftwaffe sent fighters to shoot down the barrage balloons but they were replaced so quickly and Nazi planes used to receive such a heavy response by Soviet fighters and ground defenses that finally switched to night bombings The Soviet response to jeopardize the enemy bombers was to keep the barrage balloons in the air at night and lower them before dawn The total number of blimps deployed was over 3000 units which were sent aloft more than 300000 times during the war Luftwaffe lost over Moscow 491 planes including those shot down by anti-aircraft guns and those brought down after crashing into barrage balloons

Another weapon used in middle of 20 century was devices called UP and AA Mine Discharger UP was unrotated British Projectile rocket launched parachute aerial mine system for ship Defence

The AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing seven individual mines each approximately 1116ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches (76 mm) long Each mine was equipped with its own parachute When fired the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3000 to 4000 feet (900 to 1200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc They would then float down on their parachutes They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period damaging nearby aircraft

The weapon could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

anchoring cables All those attempts turned out too costly and not much effective since the fallen balloons were replaced shortlyBesides the Battle of Britain the allies also used aerostats in several other occasions like the defense of the US West Coast in 1942 or the deployment across northern Africa and the Mediterranean Among all those occasions the main turning point would be the Invasion of Normandy when hundreds of ships sailed protected by barrage balloons to deter any attack from German planes

The USSR found inspiration in the British experience in World War I and the battle of Britain and would decide to use aerostats to fight the massive bombings carried out by the Luftwaffe over Moscow during 1941 and 1942 in Hitlerrsquos attempt to take the city

Soviet defenses against German air force were set up along three concentric circles in a radius of 120 kilometers from Moscow city center were located several airfields in order to intercept German bombers within a range from 150 to 200 kilometers away from the capital subsequently in a radius of 35 kilometers were deployed the first anti-aircraft guns and finally within a radius of 8 kilometers around the Kremlin were scattered hundreds of barrage balloons following a chessboard pattern covering all city center and the most important buildingsEach post of the net consisted of a 12 people team and 2 identical blimps which would be sent aloft separately reaching a maximum height of 8200 feet or in tandem mode reaching a maximum height of 14700 feet

Diagram of barrage balloons used in tandem mode

Besides the benefits already mentioned offered by the barrage balloons Soviet blimps had mines attached to their anchoring cables Thereby in case a German plane struck a cable it wouldnrsquot just get seriously damaged and crash but may explode in the air after pulling the contact bomb against its fuselage Since 1941 until the end of the Battle of Moscow 120 German planes crashed due to impacts against the steel cables and 35exploded in flight after detonating a hanging mine Diagram

As a result of the large amount of casualties the Luftwaffe sent fighters to shoot down the barrage balloons but they were replaced so quickly and Nazi planes used to receive such a heavy response by Soviet fighters and ground defenses that finally switched to night bombings The Soviet response to jeopardize the enemy bombers was to keep the barrage balloons in the air at night and lower them before dawn The total number of blimps deployed was over 3000 units which were sent aloft more than 300000 times during the war Luftwaffe lost over Moscow 491 planes including those shot down by anti-aircraft guns and those brought down after crashing into barrage balloons

Another weapon used in middle of 20 century was devices called UP and AA Mine Discharger UP was unrotated British Projectile rocket launched parachute aerial mine system for ship Defence

The AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing seven individual mines each approximately 1116ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches (76 mm) long Each mine was equipped with its own parachute When fired the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3000 to 4000 feet (900 to 1200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc They would then float down on their parachutes They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period damaging nearby aircraft

The weapon could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Besides the benefits already mentioned offered by the barrage balloons Soviet blimps had mines attached to their anchoring cables Thereby in case a German plane struck a cable it wouldnrsquot just get seriously damaged and crash but may explode in the air after pulling the contact bomb against its fuselage Since 1941 until the end of the Battle of Moscow 120 German planes crashed due to impacts against the steel cables and 35exploded in flight after detonating a hanging mine Diagram

As a result of the large amount of casualties the Luftwaffe sent fighters to shoot down the barrage balloons but they were replaced so quickly and Nazi planes used to receive such a heavy response by Soviet fighters and ground defenses that finally switched to night bombings The Soviet response to jeopardize the enemy bombers was to keep the barrage balloons in the air at night and lower them before dawn The total number of blimps deployed was over 3000 units which were sent aloft more than 300000 times during the war Luftwaffe lost over Moscow 491 planes including those shot down by anti-aircraft guns and those brought down after crashing into barrage balloons

Another weapon used in middle of 20 century was devices called UP and AA Mine Discharger UP was unrotated British Projectile rocket launched parachute aerial mine system for ship Defence

The AA Mine Discharger was a Japanese anti-aircraft weapon of the Second World War The device was a simple tube like an infantry mortar of 70 mm or 81 mm caliber Instead of a standard mortar bomb the projectile was a tube containing seven individual mines each approximately 1116ths of an inch in diameter (18 mm) and 3 inches (76 mm) long Each mine was equipped with its own parachute When fired the mortar threw the shell to a range of 3000 to 4000 feet (900 to 1200 m) and a maximum altitude of approximately 600 m The shell ejected the mines at the top of its arc They would then float down on their parachutes They were fused to detonate on contact or after a fixed time period damaging nearby aircraft

The weapon could also be used like a simple cluster bomb by firing over enemy troops

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

References

1Каторин ЮФ Волковский НЛ Тарнавский ВВ Уникальная и парадоксальная военная техника mdash СПб Полигон 2003 mdash 686 с mdash ISBN 5-59173-238-6 УДК 6234 ББК 688 К 29

2https260photobucketcomalbumsii10SovietRussiaPicsShooting20down20airplanes20with20balloons

3 httpwww3plalaorjptakihomeaahtm

4 httpwwwlonesentrycomarticlesjp_ormoc

5 httpwwwibiblioorghyperwarJapanIJAHBHB-9-2html

6 httpenwikipediaorgwikiZ_Battery

7 httpenwikipediaorgwikiHolman_Projector

8 Advanced Airship Aerial Mine System Document ID 800125

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Modern wars and anti-aircraft balloons

THE United States and its NATO investigated the Low-Level Threat and SAM Limitations which is published in the power journal in summer 1989 Barrage balloons disappeared after World War II as newer more sophisticated air defense weapons were introduced The threat from low-flying aircraft however continues to be a problem Aerial barrages still offer a viable deterrent against this form of attack and we should use them

The Falkland Islands War offers a solid example of the effectiveness of high-speed low-altitude tactics in negating SAMs During the course of the war British pilots flow even lower to break radar lock once their radar warning receiver indicated SAM activation throughout the entire war SAMs destroyed only two British aircraft 6 7

The barrage balloon was simply a bag of lighter-than-air gas attached to a steel cable anchored to the ground The balloon could be raised or lowered to the desired altitude by means of a winch Its purpose was ingenuous to deny low-level airspace to enemy aircraft This simple mission provided three major benefits

(1) It forced aircraft to higher altitudes thereby decreasing surprise and bombing accuracy

(2) It enhanced ground-based air defenses and the ability of fighters to acquire targets since intruding aircraft were limited in altitudes and direction

(3) The cable presented a definite mental and material hazard to pilots1 many people think that a barrage balloon system was designed to snare aircraft like a spider web capturing unwary flies

British and American experiences with barrage balloons reveal two major facts

(1) The low-level air threat is a continuing problem

(2) Barrage balloons can aid in countering that threat

Therefore it is rather surprising that aerial barrages are not mentioned in the history books Balloons would be just as useful today as they were in the forties and would effectively complement the SAMs rapid-fire AA guns and fighters of the modern air defense system Based on the performance of barrage balloons during World War II--when they successfully defended ports and factories from low-level attack--it seems logical to protect one of NATOs most important installations--the airfield The Soviets fear the aerial might of the United States and its allies and will do everything possible to destroy it quickly and completely Therefore a massive low-level attack on NATO air bases which many have called the Achilles heel of air power is a certainty These

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

targets deserve extra protection and barrage balloons offer that capability As mentioned earlier the barrage balloon offers several distinct advantages that have been proven in wartime it denies the low altitude to enemy aircraft enhances air defense systems and presents a definite mental and material hazard to the enemy pilot

Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Aerial barriers are also cheap and durable Wallop Industries of Great Britain has developed a balloon called the Skysnare 2 and a barrage of six costs approximately $18000 Maintenance and training are equally inexpensive and the only fuel for the system would be the helium or hydrogen gas to lift the balloon3 Considering the price tag of modern weapon systems and ammunition the cost-effectiveness of the balloon is impressive

Consisting of a cable a single-ply plastic envelope and a winch the system is extremely robust and can remain airborne for up to two weeks per inflation3

The 4-mm Kevlar cable gives the Skysnare system extraordinary strength and destructive power should an aircraft strike the cable4

Disadvantages

The advantages of the barrage balloon are many but--as with any weapon system-- there are drawbacks First it is susceptible to high winds during the Battle of Britain a heavy gale destroyed or damaged approximately 250 balloons Timely weather reports could help solve this problemA second disadvantage of balloons is the fact that their very presence signals the enemy that a target must be nearby This drawback was partially corrected in World War II by camouflaging both balloon and balloon bedAnyway their deterrent value more than compensates for its disadvantages

Last balloon cables are indiscriminately hazardous-friendly aircraft may inadvertently be caught in them However Peter D John suggests using procedural control to reduce the chance of a friendly aircrafts hitting a cable5 This method worked very well during World War II when hundreds of friendly planes safety negotiated aerial barriers

In our search to build a better mousetrap we often neglect the lessons of history Technology has produced a marvel of engineering in the modern fighter plane enabling it to fly higher faster and lower than ever before In battle the jet fighters forte is high-speed low-level attack--a tactic difficult to combat The barrage balloon disappeared after World War II but this capable asset deserves to be used again Naturally suited to defend small important areas barrage balloons would be perfect for NATOs vital airfields Col R E Turley an American advocate of barrage balloons during World War II emphasized the team approach to air defense in an article written in 1942When employed alone barrage balloons ordinarily would not be effective In conjunction with other arms barrage balloons constitute an element in the antiaircraft

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

defense system complementary to antiaircraft artillery and pursuit aviation the balloons being most effective at low altitudes where the complementary arms are least efficientSimply he stated barrage balloons optimize air defenses

References

1 Tactics Department of the AAA School Notes for AA Tactics in Pamphlet 20 Barrage Balloons 15 June 1943 5-7

2 Tethered Anti-Aircraft Balloon International Defense Review 20 no 5 (1987) 687

3 Wallop Systems Limited Rampart Low Level Defence System London 1987 an advertisement

4 Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price Air War South Atlantic (New York Macmillan 1983) 30

5 History 4th Antiaircraft Command 1466 Bruce W Watson and Peter M Dunn eds Military Lessons of the Falkland

IslandsWar Views from the United States (Boulder Colo Westview Press 1984) 45

7 Lessons of the South Atlantic War Proceedings of the Conference on the Anglo-Argentine War of 1982(Washington DC Defense amp Foreign Affairs Ltd 1982) 88

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Technical information about anti aircraft mine

Technology to build the balloon goes back over 200 years ago Early balloons wereempty bags filled with hot air made by burning torch which was located in the lower partThese balloons are used today in various forms for different purposes such as travel celebrations etc As described earlier military balloons were actually used in the 19th century and early twentieth centuries and among them hydrogen balloon had the most lifting power Since hydrogen gas is considered the worlds lightest gas so it has greatestdifference density related to air than other gases and every cubic meter of this gas at sea level is able to raise more than one kilogram of payload from the Earth without using any fuel or propulsion system The altitude of the Hydrogen balloon depends on air pressure air temperature balloon material and weight of payload Tthe altitude is reduced with more payload weight Hydrogen balloons could reach to very hight altitudes between 60000 to 120000 feet (18 to 37 km) They can even launch into what is termed near spacemdashthe area of Earths atmosphere where there is very little air but which is not high enough to be in the realm of satellites Balloons are categorized into two types Rigid that can fix its altitude Flexible which is made of latex and being inflated when is climbing up and its altitude alters with timeWeather balloons are made of a highly flexible latex material though Chloroprene may also be used It should be noted that hydrogen gas has a high penetration power and is able to leak out of the balloon wall So balloons lose their height over time But in an anti-aircraft mine leaking gas at the time of the operation is negligible So Anti-aircraft mines can be used in two different forms fixed and mobile Fixed type of balloons made of strong and rigid plastic material that is connected to motor at the ground by a string of Kevlar fibers In the plan introduced here the use of explosives with sufficient sensitivity in the 500 meter distance from each other along the towline is recommendedIn practice the high-speed collision between aircraft or missiles with hanging sensitive Explosive causes them to explode without any detonator In this design the mine can be pulled down in non-emergency situations and be used frequently If the mine is placed at an altitude of 5000 meters will capable to lift 10 shipments of explosives attached to the string in the 500 meter distance from each other As 100 grams of sensitive high explosives is sufficient to destroy an aircraft completely so a balloon with a volume of 2cubic meters is sufficient for such purpose Although Fiber weight and weight of the inflated balloon should be noted Since an aircraft in a good condition and during a rotation in flight will pass over 500 meters of space thus the distance between the shipments seems to be enough Today as modern airplane have much more speed and pass the same space much faster than before so the chance of collision with hanging mines increases dramatically Another type of proposed mine is small balloon that is made of rubbery material such as latex and carry small shipment individually This type of mines can be prepared in advance on the ground and connect to launching system which is a facility to charge them with hydrogen gas and self destruct activation system before release Self-destruct Delayed system is to prevent space contamination with suspended ammunitions The designed mines can be released by airplane or even a

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

cluster bomb In the cluster type it is necessary to charge the balloon by the combustion of hydrogen-generating compounds or other mixtures such as TiH3-NH4N3 with following reactions

2 NH4FHF + NaBH4 -gt NaF + BF3 + N2 + 7H2 70 Hydrogen by volume 92 by weight

4 H2NNH2BH3 + 6 NH4FHF -gt 4 BF3 + 7N2 + 29H2 725 Hydrogen by volume 11 by weight

2 CaH2 + 2 NH4FHF -gt 2 CaF2 + N2 + 6 H267 Hydrogen by volume 102 by weight

The proposed compounds above can be placed inside a small capsule and after initiation they start to produce hydrogen gas to inflate the balloon similar to the mechanism take place in air-bag It is also possible to use some other chemical reaction in the field methods for producing hydrogen to use in balloons such as the reaction of sodiumhydroxide and aluminum calcium hydride and water or already prepared hydrogen tanksEach bomblet to use in cluster weapons has a dimension about 500 cubic centimeters that consists a latex balloon to involve 100 liter of hydrogen gas at sea level and atmospheric pressure 100 gram of sensitive ammunition gas generator and its starter delayed self destructor system and also nylon string As these suspended weapon are known as sky pollutant so a light delay system should destroy them in a timing method Therefore a column with delay time of 30 minutes seems appropriate for this purpose The delay time can be controlled in a mechanically chemically or even an electronically manner For example an inexpensive delay can be made of a cotton wick that is lighter than other system but effective when there is no rain and the humidity is not so high The lightest chemical delay system that I have tested had the weight less than 1 gram Note cotton wick after burning will not extinguish till to finish by its slow ignition

Balloon can be made of polyethylene or other useful polymers Recommended layout of aerial mines would be zigzag that is focused toward the center In this arrangement if the plane passes through two adjacent mines will face the Risk of collision with a mine in the middle of the two that is located one kilometer away Such aerial mines can be deployed near the borders and the strategic points that radar can not track any airplanes also we should note that these kind of mobile aerial mine are not seen in a radar scope whether by intruder airplane or land radar Even if the shipments were not explosive (such as steel bullet) they yet load a massive force to the airplane because of collision impactTo understand this better suppose a 1 pound duck that impact to an airplane traveling at 600 mihr (880 fts) and let to calculate impulse1 pound duck whose length is 1 foot and the time of collision is assumed to be the time of transit of the ducks dimension of 1 foot so 1880 second

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

It is a simple example of kinetic weapons which have no explosive but are destructive

A bomb with 900 kg that is dropped from an aircraft with a speed of approximately 220meters per second has the energy equivalent of 47 kg of TNT In other words if it was filled with a passive material like cement its energy equivalency was about 5 kilogram of TNT So kinetic energy of a solid military rocket with speed of mach5 and approximate weight without propellant 1500 kg with non-separation warhead is calculated 2041875000 j and its TNT equivalency is 46 MJkg it will load a force as equal as 434kg of TNT while charge of explosive in this kind of rockets is only about 300 kg

Also a significant portion of energy from explosive is wasted into heat and the blast wave This simple calculation proves the ineffectiveness of such rockets and is recommended charging them with cluster munitions of depleted uranium with high penetration and incendiary abilities

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiProjectile2 httplibrarysciencemadnessorglibrarybooksthe_chemistry_and_manufacture_of_hydrogenpdf3 httpwwwsciencemadnessorgtalkviewthreadphptid=147774 httpenwikipediaorgwikiAirship5 US patent no 3734863 Hydrogen generating compositions

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Jet stream

Jet streams are fast flowing relatively narrow air currents found in the atmospherearound 10 kilometers above the surface of the Earth The major jet streams are westerly winds (flowing west to east) in the Northern Hemisphere although in the summer easterly jets can form in tropical regions The path of the jet typically has a meanderingshape There are two main jet streams at polar latitudes and two minor subtropicalstreams closer to the equator The streams are most commonly found between latitudes 30degN and 70degN for the polar jet stream (pilots remember that like birds they go north in the summer and south in the winter) and between latitudes 20degN and 50degN for the subtropical stream There are other flows in the atmosphere that are referred to as jets such as the equatorial easterly jet which occurs during the Northern Hemisphere summerbetween 10degN and 20degN and the nocturnal pole ward low level jet in the Great PlainsJet streams are typically continuous over long distances but discontinuities are common Occasionally a jet stream can even split its flow or cut off into a closed circular flowThe wind speeds vary according to the temperature gradient averaging 30 knots (55 kmh 35 mph) in summer and 65 knots (120 kmh 75 mph) in winter although speeds of over 215 knots (400 kmh 250 mph) are known Technically the wind speed must be higher than 60 knots (111 kmh 69 mph) to be called a jet stream The location of the jet stream is extremely important for airlines In the United States and Canada for example the time needed to fly east across the continent can be decreased by about 30 minutes if an airplane can fly with the jet stream or increased by more than that amount if it must fly west against it On longer intercontinental flights the difference is even greater

The main jet streams flow from schematic of global jet stream The west in the upper atmosphere

References1 httpvirgasfsueducrwsjetstreamhtml2 httpenwikipediaorgwikiJet_stream

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Launching Balloon bombs through Jet stream

Although Japanese have been using balloons in war since the 1800s at Port Arthur for observation of troop movements but the use of balloons as a weapon of war was conceived by the Japanese Military Scientific Laboratory in 1933 when study and research projects were started on the use of a 4-meter (1312-foot) balloon with a flying range of 100 kilometers (6214 miles)

The study continued until 1935 when the research group of the lab started studying the theory of long-range balloon warfare utilizing winds at altitudes of 3 to 6 km They investigated methods of keeping balloons airborne for long periods of time and tried to determine if the west wind continued to blow the entire 10000km distance across the Pacific Ocean

For some unknown reason the project was discontinued Either the experiment was completed or with no apparent need for this type of weapon at that time the whole idea was shelved until some future date That date turned out to be 7 December 1941 when Japan entered World War II At this time Major General Sueyoski Kusaba requested that the research group (the work that performed by Technical Major Teiji Takada and his colleagues) be given permission to conduct full-scale development of a long-range balloon In addition he requested that a 1000-km area be reserved for manufacture and test But his pleas fell on deaf ears and he found little if any support for his idea The project remained a closed subject until a single event took place on 18 April 1942 and shook the Japanese military empire dispelling once and for all the Japanese militarists boast that their zone of inner defense was impregnable against air power

The event was the Doolittle raid on Tokyo by sixteen carrier-based B-25 medium bombers In seeking reprisals for the Doolittle raid the Japanese conceived the first transoceanic automatic-balloon campaign in history It was to be their V-1 weapon The Ninth Military Laboratory was immediately ordered to study various balloons capable of carrying bombs to the American continent

It was first intended that the balloons would be released from submarines off the West Coast of the United States and in March 1943 a 6-meter balloon with a desired range of 300 km was developed which flew 1000 km between the west and east coasts of Japan proper Later it was found that this model could stay in the air for more than 30 hours at an altitude of 8 km By this time however the Japanese Navy was so depleted that ships and submarines necessary to carry on such an attack were no longer available and therefore further investigations were necessary to invent a balloon capable of traversing the expanse of ocean between Japan and North America

So the Ninth Lab was ordered to develop a balloon with a range of 10000 km to be released from the Japanese home islands The research was started in August with the

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

emphasis on two objectives maintaining the balloon aloft for a long period of time and determining whether the west wind was continuous for 6200 miles across the Pacific They began by studying what were termed the A and B types of balloons

The materials of the A type balloon consisted of handmade and hand patched integumentary paper The raw handmade mulberry paper had a standard weight of 15gsq m With four pieces of paper pasted together lengthwise and breadthwise alternately the balloon section began to take shape The next step was to soften the paper panels by first dipping them into a solution of soda ash then washing them with water and finally dipping them into a solution of glycerin

After the panels were dried the edges were trimmed and the panels were pasted together on a spindle form the top part first then the lower part After the relief valve was installed the suspending band was attached to the two hemispheres and they were pasted together

Then the balloon was filled with gas for test purposes and coated with a protective varnish The earlier paper balloons were made in factories but when the demand reached its peak the factories merely processed the paper and made the majority of the panels The panels were then sent to subcontractors who assembled the panels into the finished product Some of the industrial firms connected with the operation were the Mitsubishi Saishi (Paper Factory) the Nippon Kakokin Company and the Kokuka Rubber Company It is interesting to note that the major share of assembly work was performed by Japanese school girls working in large theaters and sumo wrestling arenas in the Tokyo Osaka and Kyoto areas

The type B balloon which was a Japanese Navy project was made of habutai silk with gum coating The Fujikur Industrial Company impregnated the silk with the rubber type of gum The balloon had a standard weight of approximately 170 kg

General Kusaba had many other obstacles to overcome before the harmless-looking balloon could be turned into an effective weapon The variability of atmospheric phenomena was at first regarded as the chief problem After several meteorological observations however it was concluded that as long as the weather was not too bad the atmospheric pressure should remain fairly constant across the ocean at a given altitude It was recognized that there were some ascending and descending air currents though even at 10 km (32000 ft) as a result of weather conditions on the earth

Probably the greatest problem was in developing a radiosonde that could operate at length under the varying stratospheric conditions The responsibility for development of such a system went to the Japanese Fifth Army Technical Laboratory

After considerable effort the lab finally succeeded in building a set It was attached to a balloon and the balloon was released on a free flight For 80 continuous hours the set continued to operate relaying valuable flight information The radio fell silent when the balloon reached a point 130 degrees west longitude Based on theoretical calculations a

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

balloon could cross the Pacific in three days during the winter period of November to March

The radiosonde system developed for monitoring the balloons flying Course was one that produced a continuous wave moderated by a multivibrator This piece of equipment had a power output of 2 watts with an A amp B frequency which worked on an alternating cycle A would operate 10 minutes and rest 10 minutes while A was resting B was operating and vice versa

t is interesting to note how the predicted route charts were drawn up First by supposing that the decreasing ratio of the temperature affected by the altitude was fixed then by calculating the air pressure of this particular altitude they were able to draw an aero logical isobar By calculating the inclining degree between the isobar and the speed of the wind from the latitude charted they could draw a line to a point on a chart

n the basis of this conception they analogized the flying course of the balloon its speed and its diffusion and thereby they decided where to launch the balloons It was noted that the upper air stream which reaches the American continent is a winding one that the air stream in the American continent area tends to flow southward The time required for a balloon to fly the complete course was estimated from 30 to 100 hours the average time was 60 hours

In determining when to launch a balloon the Japanese used a simple process If a high atmospheric pressure front had just passed the area then it was most suitable for balloon launching but if a high pressure front was approaching or if a low pressure front had just passed then it was unsuitable for a balloon launching

Another equally difficult problem resulted from the changes in temperature which the balloon encountered during its flight A sudden change of temperature from 20 degrees in the day to -50 degrees after sunset would cause the balloon to drop The Japanese Eighth Technical Laboratory was assigned to help solve the temperature and contraction problems

Since the B type balloon had a greater inside pressure (35 mm Hg) there was little difficulty with the temperature contraction problem This was determined by analyzing the radiosonde equipment which recorded the amount of ballast dropped The B balloon proved to be a better balloon but due to a shortage of materials only 300 were made

In regard to the A type balloon the problem was to determine how much sand shouldbe carried how much to drop at one time and how many feet and how often the balloon would fall at night Inasmuch as the duration of a flight was limited by the quantity of sandbags aboard the balloon it was estimated that 35 sandbags each weighing approximately 3 kilograms would be needed This quantity could keep the balloon flying for four days if it dropped approximately 25 kg of ballast per day

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

The balloons were released by a crew usually during the calm periods of evening or early morning When the wind velocities were greater than five meters per second the balloons were launched by one of two methods

When the wind velocity was two miles per hour or less the inflated and loaded balloon was secured with doubled ropes passed through the loops in the catenary rope at the equator of the envelope

One end of each holding rope was released simultaneously permitting the balloon to rise free When the wind velocity was greater up to ten miles per hour a different method was used First the ballast-dropping apparatus and load were placed on a stand several feet above the ground The envelope was then filled upwind from the stand and loaded equatorially with sand ballast in special containers designed to open when pulled from below

The balloon was then walked into position and attached to the ballast-dropping mechanism The ballast release ropes then were pulled allowing the balloon to rise It is presumed that this method was used to minimize the shock and oscillation that would have occurred if the balloon had been released abruptly Launching normally required a crew of 30 men and could be done in 30 minutes On days with favorable weather conditions as many as 150 balloons were released

The control system ran the balloon through three days of flight At that time it was likely over the United States and its ballast was expended The final flash of gunpowder released the bombs also carried on the wheel and lit a 195 meter (64 ft) long fuse that hung from the balloons equator After 84 minutes the fuse fired a flash bomb that destroyed the balloonThe balloon had to carry about 900 kg (1900 lb) of gear At first the balloons were made of conventional rubberized silk but there was a better way to make an envelope that leaked even less An order went out for ten thousand balloons made of washi a paper derived from mulberry bushes that was impermeable and very tough

The fact that the balloons had been launched beginning in the fall made them little menace The incendiary bombs could have caused forest fires but by that time of year the forests were generally too damp to catch fire easily or covered in snowAlthough only 285 of the 9000 bomb-laden balloons the Japanese launched were documented to have reach north America experts believe that probably close to 1000made it across the Pacific

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

References

1 httpenwikipediaorgwikiFire_balloon

2Mikesh Robert C 1978 Japans World War II Balloon Bomb Attacks on North America Smithsonian Institute Press National Air and Space Museum Wash DC 85pages

3 Smith Jeffery Alan (1999) War amp Press Freedom The Problem of Prerogative Power - Language Arts amp Disciplines

4 How Geologists Unraveled the Mystery of JapaneseVengeance Balloon Bombs in World War II J David Rogers PhD PE RGCEG CHGKarl F Hasselmann Chair in Geological Engineering Department of Geological Sciences amp Engineering Missouri University of Science amp Technology

5 httpwwwrotorheadsrususdocumentsBalloon20Bomberpdf

6 Wildfire by jamy carbray 2009

7 JAPANrsquoSBALLOONBOMBS BYJAMES W HARRIS

8- Film On a Wind and a Prayer (2008) Narrated by Dilly Barlow (Actor) Michael White

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

US evaluation of Japanese offensive

When the US first heard about the balloon bombs they didnt believe it After a few days things changed On May 5 1945 a balloon bomb that had drifted over the Pacific killed five children and a woman Then after the Office of Censorship sent a message to newspapers and radio stations to ask them to make no mention of balloons and balloon-bomb incidents lest the enemy get the idea that the balloons might be effective weapons

They were considered a threat and they outlined it well in an unpublished manual called BD-1 However the authorities were worried about the balloons anyway There was the chance that they might get lucky Much worse the Americans had some knowledge that the Japanese had been working on biological weapons most specifically at the infamous Unit 731 site at Pingfan in Manchuria and a balloon carrying biowarfare agents could be a real threat

Even though balloons which dropped incendiary or antipersonnel were found other uses were enumerated in order of importance

1 Bacteriological or chemical warfare or both

2 Transportation of incendiary and antipersonnel bombs

3 Experiments for unknown purposes

4 Psychological efforts to inspire terror and diversion of forces

5 Transportation of agents

6 Anti-aircraft devices

Reference

1 BD-1 manual by the Office of Censorship2 httpwwwseanetcom~johncosomenewhtm3 httpwwwstelzriedecomwarstoryhtm4 Silent Siege III Japanese Attacks on North America in World War II Ships Sunk Air Raids Bombs Dropped Civilians Killed by Bert Webber

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Schematic of Japanese balloon bomb

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

A diagram of balloon bomb parts1 The balloon Diameter - 33 12 feet volume - approx 19000 cubic feet material -paraffin treated paper2 Rubber shock cord or bungee3 Sketch of incendiary-type bomb found at Medford Oregon4 Japanese 15KG antipersonnel bomb found at Thermopolis Wyoming5 Rope arrangement of skirt section (enlarged)6 Battery unit of balloon Includes metal poles bakelite plate aluminum ring squib fuse and aneroid barometer7 Release arrangement8 Fuse housing bolted beneath the center of the cross-beams

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Japanese balloon bomb type A

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Cold War and Balloon Flights 1945-1965

After WWII and the beginning of Cold War balloons were used again for Intelligence research and communication purposes by the Soviet Union and USA The invention of improved plastics particularly polyethylene in the postwar period led to the development of truly effective high-altitude balloons Such balloons were used for scientific research most notably in the US Navys SKYHOOK program as well as for military reconnaissance The new polyethylene balloons also led to a spectacular final series of manned high-altitude balloon research flights

Unlike cellophane which became brittle in the cold and degraded when exposed to high-altitude ozone and ultraviolet light polyethylene worked well over a wide range of temperatures and resisted attack by ozone and ultraviolet It weighed about a quarter as much as rubberized fabric per unit area and it cost less than a fiftieth as much It was also much more suitable for machine fabrication and assembly than rubberized fabric with balloons made of strips or gores of polyethylene that were taped together

Some of unknown flying objects (UFO) in that time were in fact balloons that were used in the projects such as SKYHOOK As a logical extension of the SKYHOOK flights in the early 1950s the ONR began the Rockoon effort in which high-altitude balloons were used as a first stage for sounding rockets providing an altitude boost Most of the research conducted by this program was under the direction of Dr James Van Allen of the University of Iowa In the late 1940s the Air Force conducted MOGUL which was intended to detect nuclear blasts from the propagation of sound waves through the upper atmosphereThe train carried a measurement payload as well as corner reflectors kitelike structures covered with aluminum foil to allow the balloon system to be tracked on radar

The radio transmitter allowed the balloon to be tracked in the winds The transmitter broadcast a balloon ID code the balloons altitude and the amount of ballast remaining It was powered by a 6-volt automotive lead-acid battery with the transmitter operating on a 30 seconds on 90 seconds off duty cycle to conserve battery power The payload was thermally insulated by layers of Styrofoam and aluminum foil to keep it from freezing up cans of water were also carried as a thermal mass to help maintain a constant temperature

Initial proposals of a balloon bomber capability were put forward in late 1952 with a formal program designated Weapon System 124A (WS-124A) codenamed FLYING CLOUD initiated in March 1953

The objective was to develop a hydrogen-filled attack balloon to perform missions over ranges of up to 2775 kilometers (1500 NMI) at an altitude 11770 meters (38600 feet) with durations of up to 60 hours Launch methods were to be developed to allow balloon missions to be conducted in all but the worst weather The balloons were to carry

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

chemical or biological agent payloads Chemicals would be dispersed in cluster bomb units some sources claim that the biological payloads consisted of turkey feathers salted with pathogens with the feathers to be dumped into the wind to form a plume Apparently crop pathogens -- fungal infections such as wheat rusts and rice blasts -- were regarded as the most promising payloads

Two types of balloons were used for Weapons System 119L one having an inflated diameter of 20 meters and the other a diameter of 39 meters They were inflated with hydrogen for additional lifting power The flammability didnt matter in fact it was all for the good if a helium balloon was hit by a shell it would simply leak and drift to ground where it could be captured but if a hydrogen balloon was hit it would light up and crash hopefully shattering the gondola into bits

There were two reconnaissance cameras in the gondola each with 500 frames of oversized high-resolution film with the camera views angled off to each side to ensure a wide swath of coverage The cameras would take a shot every few minutes A small 16millimeter camera with a wide-angle lens was used to take low-resolution shots to allow the high-resolution images to be registered the 16 millimeter camera imagery also recorded the balloons altitude and other data The gondola was spun slowly by a motor to ensure 360 degree coverage A photocell system turned off the cameras when it was too dark to take pictures

In addition to the balloon reconnaissance effort of the 1950s there was also a large-scale program conducted by Radio Free Europe (RFE) to send propaganda eastward by balloon Initial launches were in 1951 using war-surplus weather balloons but later efforts used very cheap balloons manufactured for the purpose The balloons were about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter looked like inflated polyethylene clothes bags and carried what looked like a shoebox with leaflets books or posters in it A total of 350000 propaganda balloons were launched The balloon operations were halted in 1956 because RFE obtained a more powerful transmitter system with very long range

Russian sources claim that balloon reconnaissance missions over the USSR continued into the 1970s and beyond According to Russian records 1975was a particularly active year for balloon activities with 16 recorded intrusions and 13 balloons shot down

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

References

1 httpwwwairpowerauafmilairchroniclesaureview1968jan-febconleyhtml2 httpwwwvectorsitenetavbloonhtml3 httpwwwseanetcom~johncofufohtml4 Parting the curtain propaganda culture and the Cold War 1945-1961 by Walter l Hixon

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Fundamental of reconnaissance balloons

Gas filled surveillance balloons have been utilized for quite sometime for military and research purposes The Caquot type balloon was used extensively during World War II as an aerial observation post and also as a barrage balloon Caquot balloons were designed to withstand winds of about 50 miles per hour and rise to heights of about 6000 feet

The main body should have a pair of horizontal stabilizing fins and a vertical stabilizing fin attached to its aft end Also the aerodynamic lifting device should have a flex wing connected at its forward and aft centerline tips and its lateral edges to the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing locates above the upper surface of the main body so as to span the center of gravity point of the ellipsoidal shaped main body The flex wing inclines with respect to the upper surface of the main body so as to provide an angle of attack for contact with in-rushing airThe flex wing also preferably includes centerline and wing leading edge frame sections The wing leading edge frames extend laterally out away from the sides of the main body Connecting lines attach the lateral most ends of the flex wing to the sides of the main body and additional connecting lines extend from the upper surface of the main body and connect with the forward and aft tips of the flex wing centerline frame A payload pod can be positioned on the undersurface of the ellipsoidal main body below the flex wing The main body and the flex wing including its frame structure form of a material which is radar transparent and difficult to visually detect For example the flex wing and frame can be formed of a clear plastic materialWithin the payload pod is a surveillance system which includes various sensor means such as TV or infrared sensor assemblies for assistance in pinpointing the location of detected objects(Surveillance balloon patent no 5115997)

In researching the construction of high-altitude balloons there are usually two major parts -- the flight system and the payload(s) The flight system is basically everything that is not a payload and usually consists of the actual latex balloon (sometimes called the envelope) a parachute a radar reflector and nylon cord to connect it all together Flight systems may also have a cutdown device to separate the parachute and payload from the envelope although flights typically continue until the balloon reaches an altitude where the decreasing outside pressure causes the envelope to burstBalloons could have parachutes that are unfolded and bear the weight of the payloads for the entire flight A loop at the top of the parachute connects to the envelope and the payloads connect to the shroud lines at the bottom of the parachuteIn following instructions I will explain how to use available technologies for a simple reconnaissance device but in practice it is possible to perform a complex project with modern smart phone GPS technologyhellip That takes much time to describe it in detail in this short article

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Flight Computer

The flight computer controls just about every function of the payload the Basic Stamp can do the same job but they arent flexible enough to do all the things that you want the

and AD input (more about that later) The balloon should run Linux that way youd be able to have the flight computer do just about anything you want There is a very small lightweight single-board computer which is manufactured by Soekris Engineeringhttpwwwsoekriscom and alternative products can buy from httpwwweswestcom

Choose their net4511 board which has an AMD 486100 processor 32 MB RAM a mini-PCI slot a PC card slot a compact flash slot two Ethernet ports and a serial port

flight computer to do although you can using a Basic Stamp as the relay controller

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

robust is so easy and there are many Linux distributions for this project For example element Linux Gentoo or even tiny version of Linux can be used The Soekris boards have BIOS that supports a serial console because they have no video or keyboard support This made the OS installation a little more challenging But the system boots using Grub httpwwwgnuorgsoftwaregrubThe compact flash card shows up as an IDE device to the kernel so the boot process is pretty straightforward once you actually get the kernel going Bering (Linux distribution like tiny Linux or Slitaz) creates a RAM disk at boot time and decompresses a series of package files into it and the OS runs from the RAM disk from then on Compact flash is reasonably fast so you could have changed the start-up scripts to just run the OS from the CF card but as it turned out you didnt need the extra RAM and figured everything would probably run faster from a RAM disk so just left it that wayIf yoursquore Soekris boards has no a USB port and as the most of the webcam-type devices need USB connections You need more than just the single serial port on the Soekris board and the solution is a PC card that provides two USB portsAll new Linux kernels support such devices

The final task in getting the base system up and running is to install the natsemio module for the two Ethernet ports and install OpenSSH Once this was complete easily log in and transfer files to the system

Tracking Subsystem

Although balloon can perform manyfunctions the primary mission objective was to recover the payload Visually tracking the balloon is possible with a pair of binoculars on a clear day even up to 100000 ft but not very high-tech and its easy to lose even if you take your eyes off of it for only a second GPS is the obvious choice for tracking The cost of handheld GPS devices come down dramatically in recent years making it feasible to put one in a balloon that can potentially be lost the GPS-35 made by Garmin httpwwwgarmincom Garmin makes the GPS-35 for OEM applications - it has no display only serial output in standard NMEA format You can choose the GPS-35-HVS which operates on a 6-40 VDC power source You can order the unit from GPS City httpwwwgpscitycom

These days to find flexible mini-OS software suitable for most projects requiring a

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

GPS 35

Therersquos good documentation on Garmins website so you are able to solder on a connector without much difficulty In practice connect it to the Soekris board via an IOGear USB-to-serial adapter httpwwwiogearcomproductsproductphpItem=GUC232A from Frys which is supported by the usb-serialo and pl2303o Linux kernel modules You should be familiar with the NMEA-0183 standard for GPS serial output and writing Perl script to parse it Although gpsd which is written in C does the same job much more efficiently gpsd is a daemon that acts as a TCP daemon allowing multiple local or remote programs to connect and receive position data and listens to a GPS or Loran receiver and translates the positional data into a simplified format that can be more easily used by other programs like chart plotters Learn more about it here httpfreecodecomprojectsgpsd

IO Subsystem

Basically the IO subsystem allowsthe flight computer to control some relays and sensorsLook for a Basic Stamp 1 module and carrier board from Parallax The module and carrier board arenrsquot expensive and they are available at most electronic supply shops

1httpwwwparallaxcomStoreMicrocontrollersBASICStampModulestabid134ProductID3List1DefaultaspxSortField=UnitCostProductName2httpwwwdiybincomproductsParallax-BASIC-Stamp-1-Modulehtml3httpwwwactive-robotscombasic-stamp-1-modulehtml4httpwwwabra-electronicscomproductsParallax-BS1252dIC-Basic-Stamp-1-Module-(industrial)html

The Basic Stamp 1 is a microprocessor with 8 IO pins and can be programmed in a BASIC-like language using free software provided by Parallax The carrier board has a 3-

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

pin programming header that connects to your PC using a cable you can make yourself or buy Each of the 8 IO pins can be used for TTL or serial (up to 2400 baud) input or output and you can even change a given pin from input to output or TTL to serial during the execution of your programThe first two IO pins are used for serial transmit and receive and are connected to the flight computer via another USB-to-serial adapter The next three pins are used to control relays using this reference design for a relay controller httpwwwrentroncompc-relayhtm Use two of the relays to switch a strobe light and piezo beeper to help locate the payload during descent and after landing The third relay switches current to the cutdown device which is simply a piece of nichrome wire (like the kind in a toaster) should be wrapped around the nylon rope that attaches the balloon envelope to the top of the parachute The wire heats up and melts through the rope in 5-10 seconds when the current is switched on

The last three IO pins interface with a Linear Technology LTC-1298 httpwwwlinearcomproducts 12-bit 2-channel AD converter Parallax has a nice application note httpwwwparallaxcomdldocsprodappkitltc1298pdf with a schematic and sample code for interfacing the LTC-1298 with the Basic Stamp EME Systems httpwwwemesystemscom has a lot of information on their web site about using a Basic Stamp and AD converter with various types of environmental sensors Use a couple of Analog Devices AD590 temperature sensors to measure the internal and external temperature of the payload EME has a nice overview httpwwwemesystemscomOL2heathtmAD590 of the characteristics of the AD590and how to connect it to an AD converter You can have free samples of both the LTC-1298 and AD590 from their respective manufacturers websites

In the picture above the AD590 is the small metal can at the top center of the board Below it are three transistors that switch the relays which are the red objects hanging off the sides of the board To the right of the AD590 is a 2-pin header for connecting the external AD590 Three more headers are along the left side of the board for connecting the relay-controlled devices The LTC-1298 AD converter is at the bottom center of the board half-hidden by jumpers Finally the Basic Stamp itself plugs into the board in a vertical position on the right sideThe last step was the software The code for the Basic Stamp is relay 2

symbol relay = b4 Define storage space amp name for relay inputsymbol stat = b5 Relay status for ONOFF

symbol cs = 5symbol clk = 6symbol dio_n = 7symbol dio_p = pin7symbol adbits = b1symbol ad = w1

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

symbol sgldif = 1symbol msbf = 1symbol oddsign = bit0

dirs = 01111110 All pins outputs except 0 for serial input

high cs

loop serin 0N2400(R)relaystat Get serial data on pin 0 into b3 (relay) and b4 (stat) serout 1N2400(relay stat 013 010) if relay gt 3 then adconvert relay = relay+1 if stat = 0 then relayoff goto relayon

relayon high relay goto loop

relayoff low relay goto loop

adconvert oddsign = relay - 4 low clk high dio_n low cs pulsout clk5 let dio_p = sgldif pulsout clk5 let dio_p = oddsign pulsout clk5 let dio_p = msbf pulsout clk5 input dio_n let ad = 0 for adbits = 1 to 13 let ad = ad2 + dio_p pulsout clk5 next high cs serout 1N2400(ad 013 010) goto loop

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Just merge the example code from the relay controller and LTC-1298 application note with a few minor modifications The code for the flight computer (admonpl) is a simple TCP daemon written in Perl The script listens for connections on TCP port 7070 and passes text to and from the serial port This allows multiple local or remote programs to interface with the IO controller

usrbinperl

use IOSelectuse IOFileuse IOSocket

sub open_port my($portdevice $portspeed) = _ system(binstty -F $portdevice speed $portspeed raw gt devnull 2gtamp1) my $porthandle = new IOFile(+lt$portdevice) if ($porthandle) $porthandle-gtautoflush(1) return $porthandle

sub command my ready my $s $buf my($porthandle $command) = _ my $read_set = new IOSelect() $read_set-gtadd($porthandle) print $porthandle $command if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt return $buf return 0

$port = open_port(devttyUSB2 2400)

$socket = new IOSocketINET (LocalHost =gt 127001

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

LocalPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp Listen =gt 16 Reuse =gt 1)die Could not create socket $n unless $socket

$sock_set = new IOSelect($socket)

while (1) rh_set = $sock_set-gtcan_read() foreach $rh (rh_set) if ($rh == $socket) $ns = $rh-gtaccept() $ns-gtautoflush(1) $sock_set-gtadd($ns) else $buf = lt$rhgt if ($buf) $out = command($port $buf) print $rh $out else $sock_set-gtremove($rh) close($rh)

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Communications Subsystem

The balloon would have robust communication capabilities That is one of the benefits of selecting the SoekrisLinux combo for the flight computer What to use for the actual communication interface

Long-distance 80211b links and Linux has ample support for it Range becomes an issue however At 100000 ft the balloon would be nearly 19 miles from the ground While off-the-shelf 80211b gear is capable of spanning that distance with external antennas they need to be carefully aligned and are probably too heavy for the balloon to lift (For more information read my free book about digital security and improvised networking) Clearly youd have to find another solution that is amateur radio

Check out the website of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)httpwwwarrlorg if youre interested in learning more about amateur radioAmateur packet radio is actually rather similar to Ethernet The cables are replaced with radio waves the NIC with a TNC httpwwwbuxcommcomcatalog (terminal node controller) and the hardware MAC addresses with amateur radio call signs Packet radio is much slower of course Some amateurs are starting to use 9600 bps packet radio but most communication is still at 1200 bps Tucson Amateur Packet Radio httpwwwtaprorg has a lot of good information on packet radio at their web site

A lot of packet radio activity happens on the amateur 2-meter band (144-148 MHz) You can get a lot of distance out of a very modest 2-meter transmitter and omni-directional antenna This seemed like a good option for getting telemetry from the balloon Provide the Radio Shack HTX-202 and BayPac BP-2httpwwwtigertronicscombp2infohtm modem The BP-2 is not really a TNC though - its just a radio modem and transmitreceive switch and relies on PC software to handle the rest of the TNC functions Its also really only designed to work well with DOS applications The BP-2 is actually a hack and uses the RTS and CTS lines of the serial port to get data into the PC since packet radio is asynchronous communication Decoding the serial data from the RTS and CTS lines is a real-time process so modern multi-tasking OSes dont do a good job of it There is a Linux driver for the BP-2 but it requires that you disable the standard serial driver which is not an optionA newer full-featured TNC seems to be the solution is available here Kantronics KPC-3+ httpwwwkantronicscomproductskpc3htmlAnd Ham Radio Outlet httpwwwhamradiocom The TNC connects to the Soekris board via another USB-to-serial adapter and to the radio via the mic and speaker jacks

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

HTX-202 is usable but it picks up a lot of interference from the Soekris board so better to buy Yaesu VX-1R httpwwwyaesucomhandheld transceiver that is much smaller and lighter than old HTX-202 and has a much better receiver It outputs 1 watt with an external 6 VDC power sourceto have a better antenna you can make a j-pole antenna for 2 meters httpwwwvcarsorg using twin-lead TV antenna cable

Amazingly the Linux kernel has included support for amateur packet radio AX25protocol since pre-version-10 days AX25 is a variant of good old X25 Theres a fairly well written Linux Amateur Radio AX25 HOWTO httpentldporgHOWTOAX25-HOWTO that explains most of what youll need to doTheres an ax25o module for protocol support and an mkisso module which supports the generic KISS packet mode of most TNCs The TNC is configured as a network interface just like an Ethernet or PPP interface but using a utility called kissattach There are a set of daemons (ax25d and axspawn) that listen for inbound AX25connections and spawn a shell or other program to allow you to log in to a shell on the flight computer

One of the more recent developments in packet radio is Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)search the web for such device in httpwwwnavymil APRS is a format for transmitting location data (usually GPS derived) via AX25 packet radio APRS stations periodically transmit an AX25 packet that includes at a minimum latitude and longitude and may also include altitude speed heading other telemetry and comments This was the perfect solution for the balloon to report its tracking and telemetry dataTo get familiar with the APRS Protocol Reference httpwwwaprsorgdocAPRS101PDF and then wrote a Perl script (aprspl) to implement APRS on the flight computer Here is the script

usrbinperl

use IOSocketuse IOSelectuse IOFile

$DEBUG = 0

$host = 127001$port = 2947

$logfile = mntaprslog

$map_char = O

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

$loginterval = 15$beaconcounter = $beaconmultiple = 4

sub do_command my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $command = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle $commandn while (1) if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ mGPSD) return $buf else return 0

sub get_temp my $ti $to my ready $s $buf my $handle = shift(_) my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle) print $handle R4 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1) $ti = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 print $handle R5 1n if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2)) foreach $s (ready) $buf = lt$sgt if ($buf =~ m(d+)) if ($1)

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

$to = ($1 121612 - 273) 18 + 32 return ($ti $to) $| = 1

$aprslog = new IOFile(gtgt$logfile)die Could not open log file $n unless $aprslog$aprslog-gtautoflush(1)

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $gpsd = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt $host PeerPort =gt $port Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$opencount = 0

while (( $admon) ampamp ($opencount lt 30)) $admon = new IOSocketINET (PeerAddr =gt 127001 PeerPort =gt 7070 Proto =gt tcp) $opencount++ sleep 1die Could not create socket $n unless $admon$admon-gtautoflush(1)

while (1) $gps_okay = 1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd s)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDS=([01]) $gps_valid = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd d)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDD=(d+)(d+)(d+) (d+)(d+)(d+)

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

$gps_utc = $4 $5 $6 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd p)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDP=(-)([d]+) (-)([d]+) $gps_lat_dir = $1 S N $gps_lon_dir = $3 W E $gps_lat = int($2) ($2 - int($2)) 60 $gps_lon = int($4) ($4 - int($4)) 60 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd v)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDV=([d]+) $gps_speed = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd t)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDT=([d]+) $gps_heading = $1 if ($gps_okay = (($result = do_command($gpsd a)) (1 ampamp $gps_okay) 0)) $result =~ mGPSDA=([d]+) $gps_alt = $1 328 ($inttemp $outtemp) = get_temp($admon) $inttemp = $inttemp $inttemp ERR $outtemp = $outtemp $outtemp ERR $tempstring = sprintf( IT3d OT3d $inttemp $outtemp) $aprs_string = sprintf(6dh072fs082fss3d3dA=6d $gps_utc $gps_lat $gps_lat_dir $gps_lon $gps_lon_dir $map_char $gps_heading $gps_speed $gps_alt) $aprs_string = $aprs_string$tempstring $aprs_string = $aprs_string INVALID unless $gps_valid $aprs_string = $aprs_string GPSERROR unless $gps_okay

print $aprslog $aprs_stringn

if ($beaconcounter gt= $beaconmultiple) $aprs_string = $aprs_string Embedded Linux n9oypvpizzaorg system(sbinbeacon -d APRS VIA WIDE RELAY -s radio $aprs_string) $beaconcounter = 1 else $beaconcounter++ sleep $loginterval

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

The script opens TCP connections to the gpsd daemon and admonpl IO daemon (see above) to get position and temperature data formats that into an APRS string and then calls the beacon utility included with the Linux AX25 tools to transmit it via the TNC and radio The script went through many revisions to fix bugs and improve performanceAt the receiving end use a piece of software called APRSPoint httpwwwaprspointcom which runs on top of Microsoft MapPoint httpwwwmicrosoftcommappointen-ushomeaspx APRSPoint receives APRS packets via a second radio and TNC set connected to the serial port of the tracking station (in this case my laptop) It creates a new icon on the MapPoint map for each station it receives a location report from You can also set it to create a new icon for each report (as opposed to moving an existing icon) so you can track the progress of one or more stations This would be perfect for the tracking the balloon

Alternatively you can make a small secondary payload package containing a Standard C558A handheld transceiver This radio is dual-band and can receive and transmit on the amateur 70 cm band (430-450 MHz) as well as the 2-meter band It can also be set to cross-band repeater mode so that a signal received on one band is automatically retransmitted on the other band The secondary payload would serve two purposes Firstly it would be an interesting experiment in a high-altitude voice repeater enabling long-distance voice contacts between two parties on the ground It would also serve as a backup signal source so we could locate the balloon using radio direction finding httpmembersaolcomhomingin techniques if the primary tracking system failed

Imaging Subsystem

Taking pictures from the balloon wouldnrsquot be so easy to design and implement But it is possible triggering an auto-advance 35mm camera with the relay controller First thought is to use a USB webcam This would have the added advantage of being able to take short movie clips Linux has support for some USB webcams via the Video4Linux subsystem but they should give a good resolution with USB interface

Such as Bargaincell Flexible 12 Mega Pixel High Resolution or Philips Gooseneck Webcam SPC611NC or one from here httpwwwcamsecurecoukLinuxWebcamhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Although gphoto2 supports image retrieval from most digital cameras with USB or serial connectivity and remote control of those models that support it gPhoto2 is a free redistributable ready to use set of digital camera software applications for Unix-like systems written by a whole team of dedicated volunteers around the world It supports more than 1400 camerasgPhoto2 runs on a large range of UNIX-like operating system including Linux FreeBSD NetBSD MacOS X etc gPhoto is provided by major Linux distributions like Debian GNULinux Ubuntu Gentoo Fedora openSUSE Mandriva etclearn more here httpwwwgphotocom

As another choice you can use a LINUX STV0680 USB SUPPORT for the USB interface version of STV0680B chip based cameras such as Aiptek Pencams from this company httpwwwaiptekcom

To automate the picture-taking process use following Perl script (picturepl) that calls pencam2

usrbinperl

use IOSocket

use IOSelect

$host = 127001

$port = 2947

$pictureinterval = 60

sub do_command

my ready $s $buf

my $handle = shift(_)

my $command = shift(_)

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

my $read_set = new IOSelect($handle)

print $handle $commandn

while (1)

if (ready = $read_set-gtcan_read(2))

foreach $s (ready)

$buf = lt$sgt

if ($buf =~ mGPSD)

return $buf

else

return 0

while (( $gpsd) ampamp ($opencount lt 30))

$gpsd = new IOSocketINET

(PeerAddr =gt $host

PeerPort =gt $port

Proto =gt tcp)

$opencount++

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

sleep 1

die Could not create socket $n unless $gpsd

$gpsd-gtautoflush(1)

$| = 1

$month = $day = 01

$hour = $minute = 00

while (1)

do_command($gpsd d) =~ mGPSDD=(S+)s+(S+)

$date = $1

$time = $2

$date =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$month = $1

$day = $2

$time =~ m(d+)(d+)d+

$hour = $1

$minute = $2

do_command($gpsd p) =~ mGPSDP=(S+)s+(S+)

$lat = $1

$lon = $2

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

do_command($gpsd a) =~ mGPSDA=(S+)

$alt = int($1 328)

print $date $time $lat $lon $altn

system(export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib HOME=root binecho x | usrlocalbinpencam2 snap gt devnull)

$convertstring = export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=usrlocallib usrlocalbinppmlabel -color 00FF00 -x 400 -y 430 -text $date Alt $alt -text $time UTC -text $lat $lon mntimagesraw001ppm | usrlocalbinpnmtojpeg -quality 98 gt mntimages $month $day $hour $minute jpg

print $convertstring

system($convertstring)

sleep $pictureinterval

Once per minute to take a picture retrieve it from the camera and save it as a ~1 Mb PNM file The script then gets the current time position and altitude from gpsd and labels the image in the lower right corner using ppmlabel Finally the image is converted to a ~100 Kb JPEG with pnmtojpeg given a unique file name and moved to a directory on the compact flash card ppmlabel and pnmtojpeg are both from the netpbm httpnetpbmsourceforgenet suite of image manipulation utilities

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Alternative method with modern technology

The new idea is based on modern digital camera that is loaded with CHDK software and cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software CHDK software currently available for many (but not all) Canon PowerShot compact digital cameras that you can load onto your cameras memory card to give your camera greatly enhanced capabilities The modern technologies allow you to do almost every thing with your balloon from accurate short range satellite to guided ballistic balloon bombs

Equipment

1-ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 8 FOOT diameter- latex- massive weather balloon ldquofrom eBay2-Hydrogen gas cylinder for $5500 from welding supply store or by reaction between aluminum turnings and caustic soda 3-Digital Camera - ~$6000 (from eBay) loaded with CHDK softwareCanon Powershot G9 loaded with CHDK software This software can act as an intervalometer instructing the camera to take a picture every few seconds until the battery runs out I attached an external power supply to the camera so I could power it with disposable lithium-ion batteries4-Cell Phone - Boost mobile cellphone loaded with accutrack GPS software- ~$4500httpwwwaccutrackingcom

get a Radio Shack and a pre-paid Boost Mobile Motorola i335 phone It has a built-in GPS chip Then install accutracking software on the phone which is totally free for the first month This software lets you track the phones location and altitude online set the phone to upload its location every minute( or you appropriate time) After launch the phone soon get too high to communicate with cellphone towers but with landing it reports its location as well as all of the data it stored while it was not able to communicate with cell towers To solve this problem you can use satellite phone if you want to have your own black bird to track every thing on the earth

5-Foam cooler - $3006-Lithium Batteries - $1500Disposable lithium-ion batteries perform very well in extremely cold conditions where regular alkaline batteries would freeze and fail

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

7-Misc - $1000

Use the excellent flight path prediction software fromhttpnearspaceventurescomw3Baltrakreadygetpl

This is VERY important to estimate where the balloon might land If you want the balloon to land where there is cellphone coverage otherwise the balloon cannot report its location and will be lost There are two pictures in the end of this article were taken from near space by this method

Power source

The only feasible power sources are batteries but they are heavy and you want to use batteries with a high power-to-weight ratio Every payload component was capable of running from a 12-15 VDC power source except the Yaesu VX-1R radio The radio uses a 12-to-6 volt converter cannibalized from the cigarette lighter adapter that came with it

Depend on your plan and time you want to use balloon there are three different power sources

1-for short time Lithium batteries not to be confused with the more common Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries Lithium batteries are not rechargeable but have a much better power-to-weight ratio than any consumer-type battery They also perform very well at low temperatures and have an extremely long shelf lifeThese features make them popular for military applications Read more about them here httpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium_battery 2- Hybrid Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with solar panel for long range applications such as launching balloon through jet-streamhttpenwikipediaorgwikiLithium-ion_batteryhttpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

Solar panel will be used to charge batteries for night flight The 16 solar cells put out 8 volts at 2 amps in full sunlight and small electric motor draws 15 amps at 8volts at full power Such hybrid power can be attached to a more aerodynamic balloon for better navigation like this

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Small size solar plane

Now days every things is much easier and you can buy balloon with better quality and less weight with least money Such as the on my friend buy for his balloon test ldquoTOTEX 350 gram 12 FOOT dia- latex- massive weather balloon ldquo that can carry over 25 kg payload when it is filled with hydrogen

References

1httpwwwscientificsonlinecomprofessional-weather-balloonhtml

2 httpwwwchrisgoodcomrcplanessolarindexhtm

3httpwwwdesignnewscomdocumentaspdoc_id=229477

4httpwwwpatentstormuspatents5115997fulltexthtml

5httpwwweossorgpubsfaqloonhtm

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Balloon bombs and terrorist attacks

Along with many advances in different sciences ways to abuse or exploiting them are also being developed so it is to say there is no safe place Information technologies are faced with hacker attacks and all wireless communication easily intercepted The threat of modern terrorism covers all aspects of security such as economic social job and even culture Military threats of balloon bombs in modern terrorism play an important role in the future that might be unique All facilities required to perform a terrorist act with such device is readily available in all homes All kinds of plastic bags as a balloon battery acid and zinc to produce hydrogen gas cigarettes and matches as a delay igniter and a bag containing gasoline as incendiary ammunition can be used for this plan In practice Zinc-acid reaction produces hydrogen gas to flow into the bag that will be tied to the small bag full of gasoline This payload releases from the balloon after about 15 minutes delay that is provided by burning cigarette The balloon moves by wind from the launching point A to target point B that is depended on wind velocity The gas-filled balloons are themselves invisible to radar that is why they carry lightweight reflecting radar target made of aluminum foil and foam plastic which allows them to be tracked to great distances often in excess of 200 km in very strong winds the so-called jet streams Yes radar can pick up a flying human (and flying birds) If its slow moving then anti-clutter programming may filter it out (Radar normally doesnt display birds but only because the signal filters out such slow moving objects) Of course the best way to avoid radar detection is to fly very low at treetop levels or to fly very high up at suborbital levels That was simplest example of such operation but in practice the result can be much more dangerous if the payload replaces with high explosives (such as HMTD acetone peroxide) or CBC agents (eg Ricin cyanide pulverized plutonium)While small balloon may have been heavy with bags containing salt are released near the beach in the day Over time the water dissolves the salt and the balloons get ready to come out and fly toward their targets This delay system can be much more variable and more accurate to have the best performance Again because of moral reason I prefer not to explain in detail about how to use such weapon In addition it should be noted that small balloon bombs near the airports can be a dangerous threat and even revealing its news cancel flights for a long time

The balloon carries a metallic foil radar reflecting target

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Balloon bombs vs current air defense

1- The old methods used for air defense are not accurate Such as antiaircraft canon2- Modern air defense systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare and

electromagnetic bombs Electromagnetic bombs with high induction voltages (similar to effects of lightning on the transmission lines) are able to cause a serious damage to electrical circuits in radius of 400 meters The US used such weapons for destruction of telecommunication systems radar and television in Iraq The Faraday cage is a common method for minimizing vulnerability

3- Current defensive systems do not stop air strikes4- The current systems require experienced staff 5- The current air defense systems are so expensive

Here is a schematic of an electromagnetic bomb (MK-84)

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Conclusion

There are several ways to instill a love of nature in the younger generation Nature is the best teacher and history contains the best lessons If we ignore them we wonrsquot have a good progress in the future Nature has many wonders intricacies beauties and events from which we can derive many good things but it also has many horrors The Nature over millions of years has developed the most advanced defensive systems that should be an inspiration for us to avoid increasing cost and optimizing defense system Thatrsquos why the balloon bombs presented here and their applications are summarized below

1- The Balloon bombs as anti-aircraft mines are cheaper faster and more effective than any other air defense to protect cities and strategic centers

2- The Balloon bomb can be a deterrent to aerial attack According to experts it increases the cost greatly for enemy because of the fear of air attacks

3- It is possible to establish a defense shield based on balloon every where so easily 4- The balloon bombs were the first generation of intercontinental launching with

least cost 5- The payload varies from Photography equipment telecommunication system

NBC (nuclear biological or chemical agents) to Surveillance equipment6- The Terrorist attacks with flying balloon bombs are undetectable and will be

considered a serious threat in the future

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Appendix 1 Install CHDK on digital canon

Canon point and shoot digital camera (pocket camera) has a lot of automatic settingsand make things really easy just point it to an object and click the shoot button andyoure done But if you want to explore more manual settings and use all hidden featureson your Canon digital camera you can use CHDK

What is CHDK

CHDK (Canon Hack Development Kits) is add-on software for your canon cameraCHDK enhances the capabilities of your camera in a non-permanent way In this tutorialwe wont install CHDK on the camera itself but on the SD card or the memory card andthen make the SD card as first boot when we turn on the camera Donrsquot worry CHDKwont screw up your original Canon camera firmware

CHDK Features

After installing CHDK you can shoot in RAW Ultra longfast shutter speed Focusbracketing (unlimited shots) Zoom during video function File Browser Text ReaderCalendar and you get some games click here for more CHDK features

How to Install CHDK

Requirements- Canon PowerShot or IXUS Digital Camera- SD CardMemory card- Card Reader

1We need to know the firmware version of the cameraTurn on your camera shoot anobject and then copy the image (JPG) to your computerTo find CameraVersion-SFXapplication refer to links here httpchdkwikiacomwikiCameraVersion orhttpwwwsnophyqueensuca~philexiftool extract it then opendouble click onCameraVersion11exe

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

2 Click Browse gt select any JPG taken with your camera gt click Open

3Remember your camera type and the firmware versionhere is IXUS 90 IS (alsoknown as PowerShot SD790) and you can see the firmware version is 100D

4Open this webpage httpmighty-hoernschede then download the correct CHDK foryour cameraremember do not extract the downloaded zip file

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

5 Insert SD card into your card reader make sure the lock slider is in the un-locked position like shown on the picture below

6 Now download CardTricks v144 (httpsavedonthenetdownload78CardTricks-144-SFXmht ) then extract itopendouble click on CardTricks144exe

7 Click on SD Card iconThen select Canon SD Card and click OK

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

8 Click Format as FAT button

9 Formatting will DESTROYALL DATA on card HAre you sure you want to continueClick OK

10 Click Make Bootableit will make your camera able to boot from the SD card

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

Card is now bootable in Canon cams Do not forget to set Write Protect on the card (slide tab up away from the electric connectors) to take advantage of this feature Click OK

11 Click CHDK-gtCard then locate the downloaded CHDK zip file (from step 4) and click OK

12 Please wait when CardTricks installing the CHDK

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

When message above disappears youre done CHDK installedclick exit (or press Esc)

13 Pull out the SD card from the computernow lock the carddont worry image will still be saved to the locked card

14 insert SD card to the camera then turn the camera on

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

To go to CHDK menu press print button on the camera you will see on the screen thenpress menu button

you can configure the extra camera settings from herepress Menu button then press print button to exit from CHDK menuHDR image example created by using CHDK

Normal photo HDR photo

How to disable CHDK on my camera

Remove the SD card from the camera unlock the card insert the SD Card to the cameraturn on your camera you will see CHDK is not loadedHow to enable CHDK again Remove the SD card from the camera lock the card insert the SD Card to the

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml

camera turn on your camera you will see CHDK is loadedVisit httpchdkwikiacom to explore more information about CHDK

References

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_for_Dummies

httpchdkwikiacomwikiCHDK_in_Brief

httphackcanoncominstallingmanual-installation-canon-hackers-development-kit

httpwwwjamesbrittincomballoon20photographyhtml