====== ALDIST (Advanced Long DuratIon Stratospheric Tetroon)  ======


===== Aims =====

  - Demonstrate altitude hold and piloted altitude excursions
  - Demonstrate the tetroon envelope design
  - Investigate envelope heating
  - Record temperature, pressure, humidity data
  - Demonstrate 434MHz radio communication over long (>300Km) range
  - Use solar power
  - Demonstrate cruising in polar stratospheric vortex
  - Experiment with altitude hold algorithms based on envelope temperature, payload mass, atmospheric density and other factors
  - Reuse existing code and pcb designs as much as possible


===== Initial electronics/power concept =====

{{projects:first_ideas.png|}} 



===== Initial design concept(s) =====

 This design should be capable of cruising at 16 to 18Km for 5 days, enough for a circumnavigation in the polar stratospheric vortex.

{{projects:first_design.png|}}

===== Subsystem designs =====

==== Ballast ====

{{projects:ballast.png|}}


==== ADS1112IDGST interfacing ====

{{projects:sensor_interfacing.png|}}

===== Links =====

[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrahedron|Wikipedia tetrahedron page]]


[[http://www.piccard.info/gore_tetroon1.htm|some info on tetroons]]

===== Suppliers =====

[[http://www.sensortechnics.com|Sensortechnics]]

[[http://www.dpie.com|Diamond point]]

[[http://www.energyenv.co.uk/PowerfilmOEM.asp|UK powerfilm supplier]]