SMALL PAYLOAD RETURN CAPSULE

The payload was a prototype small payload return capsule developed by Terminal Velocity Aerospace (TVA) of Atlanta, Georgia. The capsule was released from a carrier balloon (launched by Near Space Corporation from their facilities in Tillamook, Oregon) at over 100,000 feet and descended along a trajectory equivalent to that of an orbital entry. This served to demonstrate mission enabling technologies including low-cost communications and electronics systems and also allowed the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation to obtain data to validate the use of an ADS-B module (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) provided by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. In addition, as part of this drop test, TVA's capsule transported a payload provided by Dr. Abba Zubair of the Mayo Clinic in collaboration with the Center for Applied Space Technology (CAST-ARMM) and Morehead State University containing live stem cells, as a pathfinder for the transportation of high value space-based research products from space back to a terrestrial laboratory.

The flight computer and electronics performed as expected, and communications were received throughout the flight. However during descent there was an anomaly with the TVA capsule parachute deployment, but despite that issue the capsule electronics, data loggers, and experimental payload were successfully recovered in good condition.

Balloon launched on: 6/21/2015
Launch site: Naval Air Station Tillamook, Oregon, US  
Balloon launched by: Near Space Corporation (NSC)
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
Flight identification number: T0141-B
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 6/21/2015

• 2015 Annual Report Flight Opportunities Program
• Demonstration of Enabling Communications Technologies for Future Low-Cost Small Earth Return Vehicles NASA's Flight Opportunities Program
• Small Prototype Earth Return Capsule Flight Tested NASA website
• TVA performs high-altitude drop test of small payload return capsule Spaceworks website