Vulture 1 rolls out of fab bunker
The Paper Aircraft Released Into Space team are delighted to bring you the final construction snaps of the Vulture 1 aircraft. You can check out the first two build phases here and here. Since we've already covered the techniques and materials used in some detail, you're advised to refer back if you've got any doubts about …
This topic is closed for new posts.
No on-board camera?
So, apart from the GPS tracking unit, what other on-board gear does it have?
-dZ.
RE: No on-board camera?
There will be a video camera tho. Might be more exciting to watch than an onboard camera.
hmm
Is this what you're aiming for ?
http://www.brooklynspaceprogram.org/BSP/Space_Balloon.html
Not
The most aero-dynamic nose I've seen on a paper aeroplane.
Conspiracy
So rather than going into space, you'll film it all at Lester's palatial mansion in the hills?
We'd better hope...
We'd better hope it falls apart shortly after release so that we actually get to see it. That thing reaching Earth intact would be a real culinary millinary moment, and what's the point of it when (to use the popular vernacular) "pictures, or it didn't happen"...?
FFS
its will it BLEND. Will. It. BLEND.
you people are your popculture fails. BAD AC. BAD!
Spainish Astronaut
Cosmanuat - Russian,
Taikonaut - China
Astronaut - USA
What will our intrepid first person launched into space by Spain be called? Playmonaut?
Re: Spanish Astronaut
Since the word comes from the same Greek root, It's either "Astronauta" or "Cosmonauta". However, since he's not going actually into space, it would be an "Aeronauta", which typically just means "airplane pilot".
That said, my vote is for "Playmonauta"!
-dZ.
Surely...
... it's Regonaut!
(Unless you want "Astrotard"...?)
Shirley...
it would have to be a PARIS-diver.
Got nuthin'
Sorry, just been to see Rich Hall at the Tobacco Factory in Bristle; I need a mind-scrub.
No camera?
No camera? And how will we know that you actually launched it, instead of setting up a fake mission?
Seriously, on-board camera is really needed for a very cool video of the event.
Vulture 2
So we start planning for vulture 2 now then, bigger, better, and with on board live video? WE WANT PICCIES!
Camera
Can't you insulate it so that it keeps itself warm? or add a small heat source inside the insulation if that's not enough, without onboard pics or video it just seems like a waste of effort.
Also, what's with the boxy nose?
No camera?!
That's awful news. I was looking forward to a Duplo-model's-eye-view from a real spaceplane. I presume there is no chance of another miniature camera being found at this late stage?
I know it's a bit late
but could you fit something like a hand warmer in to keep the camera going?
Or is that a bit dangerous in a paper plane?
Cold camera?
What are you using camera-wise? Glider pilots and parachutists have been using GoPro Hero cameras successfully in seriously parky conditions. Admittedly probably not at that kind of altitude though.
Did you prick the straws in the end?
The ones covered in silver spray paint look pretty well sealed....
read the earlier stories...
after testing in the altitude chamber there were no problems...
WHAT No Camera?!?!?
Heater Circuts are simple:
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/tutorial_info.php?tutorials_id=188
Grrr..
love the patron saint sticker
a great early morning LOL.
Good luck on launch. Too bad about the video cam, was looking forward to that. Some "Toasti-Toes" warmers perhaps?
Our man inside Paris prepares to take her to heaven and back.
+1 Internets for the adline.
Wrong colour
That silver paint will block some radio waves. Older GPS kit cannot handle a wet leaf let alone silver paint. A modern GPS should be OK, especially at altitude, but you have cut into the margins and may have problems after landing. If you have to put your antenna inside the fuselage, pick a pale colour. Better still, test all the radio kit in a simple painted box first because I am not sure that this PARIS would survive a complete stripping.
Wrong pilot
I would have used the Taliban Playmobile character. Just to frighten Americans. :)
There's a photo mising.
The one of the pilot inspecting the plane, walking round it, kicking the tyres, etc.
What a shame ....
...about the camera. But good luck with the launch.
Looking forward to Vulture 2. (Can we have proper swept back paper plane wings please?)
Photos
Would it be possible to get some large desktop backround images of Vulture 1 before you send her on her maiden voyage?
Have I missed something?
What's the daredevil pilots name? He'll need a pint I'm sure - see icon
Presumably
Reg. Or since they're taking off from Spain, El Reg.
Well done
Paris will be pleased that her minions have done so well in spite of not having her advantages. Eat your heart out Richard Branson.
Who else?
Ready for take-off
I have the test pilot's obituary on file.
Brilliant.
I can't wait for videos of the launch! Thanks muchly for awesomeness and hurray!
Absolutely beautiful looking plane.
But can it fly?
What testing have you done to make sure the thing will actually glide? If it is aerodynamically unstable I think it is likely to breakup on the way down.
Anyway, I do wish our intrepid pilot all the best!
Maiden flight tradition
Did you also remember to also leave room (and allowance for proper weight distribution) for the chief engineer's car keys and wallet with our brave pilot. I seem to recall that's a tradition for maiden voyages.
Even better
At the Skunkworks the pilot takes up a bag with the ENTIRE engineering team's keys and wallets.
It's probably not the first time...
That Paris has had a pilot inside her.
Or a little person insider her.
Or something plastic inside her!!
Ok, Ok, I'm leaving....
Well....
the part where the pilot fits is called the cockpit....
Hand-warmer?
Vulture II should incorporate a couple those glove hand-warmers as the ballast for the nose-cone. This will heat the video camera and transmitter (Pariscope?) One could be activated at launch and a second by the altitude release rod. So warm sillicone inside PARIS could be the answer to getting a good video.
Columbia style threat
Bit of a gap around the pilot? Won't air rush in and rip the skin from the inside out? I predict a Columbia-style disaster with inrushing gases doing the damage. Better get your best gapologist on this!
It's made of paper.
Plasma of any sort, inrushing or otherwise, is not its friend...
Cameras
Read the article carefully. Although there'll be no onboard minature camera, the plane will have a payload dangling from it containing a video camera - so there will be video of the event. What they really need to do though is design a mirror arrangement so the camera records both the view down to earth *AND* a view looking upwards to the plane itself.
And since the plane will presumably have zero motive power (other than gravity), shouldn't it technically be called a glider?
You miss the point
The video camera is in the giant box thing that does the release. It sounds like there'll be no camera on the glider itself, which is a real shame...
Good night, and good luck
Forgot to say. In spite of all my suggestions of things which weren't quite tickety-boo in the design/construction stakes, the best of British luck to the team. You're utterly bonkers, and after all the work you've put in, you deserve a decent result. Tally-ho chaps!
@mittfh
The camera attached to the payload is actually stuck to the balloon, not the plane itself. It will capture the initial release of the Vulture 1 from the balloon but not it's whole flight.
If it was up to me, I would stick one of those $15 keyring video cameras in the plane anyway and hope for the best.
*Pint, No more till you fly the thing!!
The Reg Stuff
I vote for Astrotard
Hats off to all for the Flight of the Vulture !!
Oh and traditionally the CAD gets done before you build the thing...
Re: The Reg Stuff
Pah, we're old school - build first, CAD later.
What's happening?????
Tuesday has passed with no news, now it's Wednesday, still no news? Is the pilot okay? Are the groundcrew all still plastered? When is lift off?
This topic is closed for new posts.
