» START PREPARATIONS DURING THE FINAL DAYS BEFORE START «
Schedule: The closer the start day moves, the greater the tension. This is perfectly normal. To reduce the tension, you should prepare well and plan the start day carefully to avoid mistakes. To help you with this, you should allow more than enough time, as well as helpers. For example, after completing the probe on the days before takeoff, you should plan for the entire start in about two hours. Basically, it is better to schedule more time than too little. Furthermore, we provide a checklist here, so that careless mistakes are avoided, which can happen due to excitement.
Keeping track and not forgetting tasks for your mission is especially important for this project. With this checklist you keep the overview. From our many years of experience, we provide you with a detailed overview, so nothing stands in the way of a successful mission.
Forecast of trajectory and possible landing location: In order to prepare yourself for the landing, it makes sense to calculate the flight route in advance. Thus, you gain an impression of the approximate landing site and how far the distance between the start and the landing place will approximately be. The closer the start day moves, the more accurate the forecast is. If you know the starting point, you can start right after launching the balloon so that you are closer to the landing spot.
Calculate the flight path of your stratosphere probe a few days before your flight. Thus, you get a first impression of the distance and the approximate landing site. The tool is easy to use and gives a reliable approximate. In combination with our helium calculator, you can even influence the flight distance and therefore the landing site.
Check weather conditions: In the days before your start you should also observe the weather conditions via various portals for your starting location. In principle, it is possible to start in any season, provided the conditions and requirements of the authorities are complied with. However, you should consider whether you want to start your mission even in storm or high rain probability, or rather play it safe and want to postpone the start of an alternative date.
Tip: It’s best to report to the authorities next to the first date immediately an alternative date, for example, a week later. This is usually no problem at all and without additional costs. The balloon itself does not mind the unpleasant weather; it’s still called “weather balloon”.
