ITA-5 was a re-run of the ITA-4 "Endurance" payload which flew on September 17 of this year. We recorded the temperature data for analysis with a 9th grade science class.

The flight lifted off at 1840Z (16 November 2000) without problems, from a field in front of the Maple Ridge School in Ulster Park, NY. The surface wind was light and from the south, but soon the balloon caught the higher level winds from the west, and it was moving rapidly eastward when it disappeared in a thin stratus cloud layer.

We followed the CW signal for over two hours, recording it on tape for later transcription, and copying a data frame now and then to see how cold the air was getting. Many of the readings were below -40C !

Post-flight analysis determined the burst time as 2032Z, 112 minutes after launch, and with this information and winds aloft observations we determined a probable landing zone to the northwest of Providence, Rhode Island.

Downlink data:

Raw telemetry transcript
Converted telemetry data
Temperature graph
Map of possible landing area

Pictures

Inflation was done in the entry hall

Almost full - then out the double doors

Pre-launch, waiting for radio check
(note blue payload box on the right)

Post-launch, it's up and away!

Desgination:  ITA-5
Envelope:     300g Kaysam latex balloon
Payload:      PIC 12C671 controller, OAT, Payload temp, Battery sensor
CW downlink:  28.636 MHz
Callsign:     KA2QPG
RF power:     20-30 mW output (under 5vpp to a 72 ohm dipole)
Launch:       1900Z Thursday, November 16, 2000

Data format:
DE KA2QPG BALLOON ITA5 F01 O01C I0F4 BE6 dahhhhh
  where:
F01  = data frame number, sequential hex 00-FF then rolling over
O01C = outside air temperature in 1/16 degrees, hex, 01C = 1.75 deg. C
I0F4 = payload temperature in 1/16 degrees, hex, 0F4 = 15.25 deg. C
BE6  = battery voltage, 00=0v; FF=10v