What might be required to transmit radio control signals to a craft 30+ miles high? Could an off the shelf control system be run through a dish to reliably reach that far?

__________________
Shrox

Master of the Dark Art of Model Rocketry

www.shrox.com

It looks like Quest has something in the works for the advanced rocketeer!



That might be a question for a Ham radio group. Let us know what you find out.

Greg

Wow, that is about 29.5 miles out of MY range.

I suggest you ask Bob Parks. He has been involved in at least one high-altitude unmanned project that I can think of which flew way high like that (well, to 100,000 feet or more, about 20 miles). Carried up by a very large helium balloon and released. It was a 2/3 sized fold-up winged aircraft intended to fly in the Martian atmosphere. So that is why it was flown so high, to test out the deployment, transition to horizontal flight, and probably handling/performance, in a very thin atmosphere similar to Mars'.

Link to a bit more info, and images:
http://www.aurora.aero/ResearchDeve.../MarsFlyer.aspx

Well, as I think of it now, I do not think it was R/C at that height. I think it was automated, using GPS and autopilot/computer at high altitude to make it fly towards the intended landing area. It was landed by a human using R/C, but IIRC the manual R/C control was only used when it was relatively close to the airstrip.

Although, it MAY have made use of R/C (or something functionally equal) at high altitude to send the "Release" signal for it to separate from the balloon - I doubt that was on a timer (and they did have a live downlink of video and telemetry from it).

Regardless, I am pretty sure that Bob Parks would be able to give you some good info - either from direct knowledge or to point you in the right direction.

- George Gassaway

I wonder if you could run control signals through a cell phone interface. Do cell phones have range to reach a tower from that height?

Cell phone antennas tend to favor horizontal distance rather than vertical. Somewhat directional signal.

__________________
N - "Born - Again Rocketeer"

Shrox

At 30+ miles I'd say you are getting into UAV territory. A simple autopilot that can receive command telemetry from a laptop might be the way to go. Just take a look at what's going on over in the RcGroups UAV forum. Here's a good place to start : UAV Links.

Also take a look at the Paparazzi Project. Very cool, very small... not cheap.

Regards,

FlyBack

OK, I'll spill the beans. I finally have the resources to build a RoMax test vehicle. Takes off like a helicopter, flies like a rocket plane, lands like a helicopter. Sub-orbital capability.

The StratoMax however, will have orbital capability...

__________________
Shrox

Master of the Dark Art of Model Rocketry

www.shrox.com

[QUOTE=shrox]OK, I'll spill the beans. I finally have the resources to build a RoMax test vehicle. Takes off like a helicopter, flies like a rocket plane, lands like a helicopter. Sub-orbital capability.
QUOTE]

I may have found what you need... the Scherrer Long Range UHF R/c system. Range quoted in excess of 100km.

I gotta see this! Good luck and speedy building - salute -

Regards,

FlyBack

You do realize that if you are successful your name will have to added to the aerospace history books.

Greg

Here is the first one I started that I had to abandon when my marriage broke up. But I'm starting over with it, building it in my living room since I am a bachelor now....

http://rocketdungeon.blogspot.com/2...vehicle-in.html

__________________
Shrox

Master of the Dark Art of Model Rocketry

www.shrox.com