SNAP (Satellite for Natural and Artificial Plumes)

Developed by SEAK Lab at Texas A&M University

Balloon launched on 8/4/2022, from Raven Innovation Campus, Baltic, South Dakota, US

Purpose of the flight and payload description

SNAP stands for Satellite for Natural and Artificial Plumes. It's a balloon payload developed by students at Texas A&M's Systems Engineering, Architecture, and Knowledge (SEAK) Lab that uses gimbaled cameras to collect image data and a computing system to process the data using a trained neural network to identify and track Earth-based plumes. The technology could contribute to monitoring of fire, pollution, and volcanic activities.

This balloon flight enabled image collection and testing of SNAP's plume tracking capability as well as identification of necessary improvements to its onboard computing system in advance of a second flight slated for 2023.

Details of the balloon flight

Balloon launched on: 8/4/2022 at 10:15 utc
Launch site: Raven Innovation Campus, Baltic, South Dakota, US  
Balloon launched by: Raven Aerostar
Balloon manufacturer/size/composition: Zero Pressure Balloon  
Flight identification number: HBAL602
End of flight (L for landing time, W for last contact, otherwise termination time): 8/4/2022 at 18:15 utc (L)
Balloon flight duration (F: time at float only, otherwise total flight time in d:days / h:hours or m:minutes - ): 8 h
Landing site: 34 km ENE of White River, South Dakota, US

External references

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