PARSEC

PArafoil Recovered Stratospheric Experiment Carrier

With PARSEC, our association is continuing its balloon-supported high-altitude research activities. As with its predecessor BUBBLE (2019-2023), the aim of the project is to develop a platform for research and technology demonstrations in the stratosphere. Both the association’s own experiments and payloads from external partners will be flown. The areas of application range from testing the communication or attitude control systems of small satellites to testing new types of solar cells in space-like conditions.

The balloons are launched by us from the campus of the University of Stuttgart and carry the payloads to a maximum flight altitude of up to 38 km within approx. 90 minutes. During the flight, the outside temperature drops to -60° C and the ambient pressure drops by up to 99.6%. After the balloon bursts, the gondola and payload sink back to the ground on a parachute and are recovered there by our tracking vehicles.

Our main goal with PARSEC is to develop a system to actively control the landing approach. Instead of a passive parachute, a parafoil is to be used to avoid landing in wooded, densely populated or inaccessible areas. We hope that this will make recovery work easier, as well as giving us greater independence from atmospheric wind conditions and therefore greater flexibility when planning our flights.

Your experiment in the stratosphere!

Are you interested in flying a payload with our PARSEC project? We will take care of the planning, approval and execution of the flight for you. Our system enables the power supply for your experiment as well as the recording, sending and receiving of data via various easy-to-use interfaces.

We will be happy to advise you on planning and answer any other detailed questions. Do not hesitate to contact us!

The maximum payload mass is usually 3 kg.

Get in touch with us!

Timeline

August 2023

Go-ahead

The TANA Maiss Foundation approves two funding applications from the BUBBLE team. Support is provided for the further development of the tracking and telemetry system and the testing of a guidance parachute for controlled landings. The foundations have been laid for the evolution of BUBBLE into PARSEC.

January 2024

First flight attempts

Opening a paraglider from a stowed position is much more complex and error-prone than with a canopy. The team therefore begins to test various release mechanisms in a series of drop tests. The flight dynamics of the system are also characterized in glide tests.

May 2024

ESA-PAC Symposium

The team took the opportunity to present the new ideas and developments in four lectures at the “26th ESA Symposium on European Rocket and Balloon programs” in Lucerne.

Summersemester 2024

Flight control

With the help of the flight dynamics data obtained during the previous tests, the design of control algorithms begins. Most of this work is carried out as part of a bachelor's thesis, which focuses on the simulation of the final approach and landing phase of a mission.

17. August 2024

First flight

Although the team is currently busy with tests and new developments, the first flight under the new banner is still a success:
PARSEC I launched from the university campus and successfully tested a new Flight Termination System (FTS) and a gimbal to control the orientation of future scientific payloads.

Q1 2025

PARSEC II

Following a previous collaboration on BUBBLE, PARSEC will again fly a payload from the Institute of Photovoltaics (IPV). The aim is to test innovative perovskite solar cells in a near-space environment. This mission is the test run for an upcoming IPV payload on the Institute of Space Systems' ROMEO satellite.

More about this Topic

Sounding balloons

High-altitude research balloons offer a unique opportunity to explore the upper layers of the atmosphere. PARSEC uses helium-filled latex balloons, which are also used daily as weather balloons. Our current altitude record (BUBBLE VII) is 38,000 meters. This means that our research balloons fly higher than any airplane and more than three times as high as a passenger plane!

In addition to exploring the stratosphere itself, high-altitude research balloons also provide an excellent and cost-effective platform for testing space technologies.

The development of experiments for weather balloons presents students with real technical challenges, such as the construction of robust measuring equipment that must withstand the extreme temperatures and low pressures. In addition, the payloads must be lightweight and aerodynamically designed so as not to impair the limited buoyancy of the balloon. In addition to the hardware, the software is also crucial: sensors must be programmed and data logging systems developed that work autonomously during the flight. Such challenges offer students an excellent opportunity to acquire valuable skills in project management and technical problem solving. These experiments not only contribute to the education of the next generation of scientists and engineers, but also provide valuable data for science.

We are looking for you!

Has PARSEC piqued your interest? We are always on the lookout for new members!

No matter whether you are just starting your first semester, are already a space expert or are studying something completely different: we can find an exciting position for everyone in our team. If you already know what you want to do, write to us directly!

If you are not yet sure what you would like to work on, you can find an overview of the subsystems and work areas PARSEC is divided into below. Our project is also particularly suitable for final theses (Bachelor or Master), so don’t hesitate to approach us with new ideas.

Participation in PARSEC is possible at any time and for everyone, please contact us for more details.

PARSEC Subsystems

Project management and system engineering

This is about keeping the project together. Deadlines need to be kept in mind, launch permits applied for and funding provided. Communication and collaboration – both within the team and with external project partners – must also be coordinated.

The system engineers define interfaces between the various subsystems and payloads, keep an eye on mass and power budgets and are responsible for the structured execution of tests and balloon launches.

Experienced association members create a framework for a successful project.

Structure

In addition to developing and manufacturing the gondola, this subsystem is also responsible for the connection to the balloon and parachutes. Mechanisms must be designed to end the ascent and reliably open and control the parachutes.

Avionics

The Avionics team takes care of (almost) all the electronics and software that flies into the stratosphere. The main task here is the Payload Onboard Computer (PLOC), which is responsible for communication with the payloads and data storage.

Furthermore, separate circuit boards must also be designed, assembled and tested for the power supply and the flight controller.

Telecom

This team is responsible for ensuring reliable radio communication between the balloon and the tracking vehicles. This requires the development of hardware and software for use in the stratosphere and at the ground stations.

Nothing can go wrong here – if the connection fails, we don’t know where PARSEC has landed and lose our payload.

GNC

GNC stands for Guidance, Navigation and Control. This team is responsible for the flight control software that will one day guide PARSEC safely back to Earth.

The complete flight simulation is also essential for flight planning and determining the launch window.

Public Relations

In addition to our passion for engineering, we also want to share the breathtaking beauty of our planet with the public from the special perspective of the stratosphere.