We get a ton of ideas about weather balloon launches taking hobby electronics into space. but every once in a while one of them sticks out from the rest. This project does send an electronic payload into space, but it also lets [David] fly his hardware back from near-space using an RC airplane.
The return automobile is unpowered, but that shouldn’t be a problem as launching from a weather balloon will supply plenty of altitude for the flight. because the temperature experienced in that part of the atmosphere is so cold [David] had to take several things into account. undoubtedly you want your batteries and control electronics to be insulated from the cold. but something that doesn’t normally pop into mind are issues with the servo motors which run the glider’s flaps. They normally have some white grease on the gears. At temps as low as -50C that grease will harden and make the servo stop working so he made sure to clean the gears thoroughly before the flight.
Unfortunately [David] had several problems capturing images and recorded video from the ground station. but his write up is still a fun read and the clip after the break gives a general introduction of the entire project from the nose cam of the glider.
[Thanks Limpkin]