How can I Iaunch a lightweight (under 1lb) cylindrical object 1200ft in the air WITHOUT a combustible engine?

Question

Hello all,

I need to get a small electronic device (gathers weather data) into the air 1200+ ft and then have it slowly parachute down to collect data. A weather balloon won't work because it is too slow moving as it ascends and will deviate its path based on wind/rain conditions. It can't have a small rocket engine (no ordinates allowed) and would preferably not need a person to man it, i.e. an RC plane/helicopter would need a pilot on the ground. I am running out of options and hoped some people with more experience could offer up some suggestions. Any ideas are much appreciated! Thank you!

Edit--
Thank you all for the feedback, currently we are using compressed air, and it is indeed hooked up to a gun however this was never it's intended use. I believe we are using 300 psi (a typical divers tank) and that won't get it to the height we need. I can design the housing as a basic bullet to hold the payload, but I don't think the guns components are rated to anything over what a divers tank can put out. Magnetic does sound expensive, but it is worth looking into. I also am reading up on the hyrogen pop bottle rocket. Again, thank you all for the replies, if all else failsI'll grab some pop rocks and mountain dew!!!

I need to get a small electronic device (gathers weather data) into the air 1200+ ft and then have it slowly parachute down to collect data. A weather balloon won't work because it is too slow moving as it ascends and will deviate its path based on wind/rain conditions. It can't have a small rocket engine (no ordinates allowed) and would preferably not need a p

Answer 1

Pneumatic power and a very aerodynamic design to get it up to a height. However, the pneumatic tube required to launch the object is just as dangerous as an explosive or combustible. Magnetic launchers are great ideas too, but can be expensive to operate and would need an electrical energy source. I really think a pneumatic launcher would be best from cost/portability/energy standpoint.

Consider this, a home-built launcher with about 80psi air pressure can power a 2 liter bottle about 75 feet into the air. The limitations are the burst pressure of the bottle and the aerodynamics.

Or you could try the little spinning things like they did in the move TWISTER. You're not chasing tornadoes are you?

Answer 2

I suggest a long vertical pipe connected to an air compressor, to make an airgun. You don't say how big, how heavy or what shape your device is, or how much acceleration it can take. But if you can make it into a strong, cylindrical package no more than 10 cm. diameter and weighing no more than about 5 kg. my idea is practicable using the sort of air compressor that garages use, with a tank holding air at 200 psi and a steel pipe at least 4 metres long. I've worked with weather balloons but I've never tried this method. My maths says it should work though.

Answer 3

How about a water rocket?

The folks at the below link claim to have launched a carbon-fiber rocket rig, using compressed nitrogen and foamed water. They claim their rocket reached over 1,200 feet in 2003.

They sell kits, but I don't know if they sell one that goes as high as you need.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Use a huge air powered pumpkin gun this needs about a 200 HP air compressor so I assume you are well heeled.!

Answer 5

Use a helium balloon. A compressed air launcher is another option.

Answer 6

AIR send it out of a tube at any p.s.i. you need to get 1200+ft i think around 300 p.si. should do it

Answer 7

A really big slingshot! :-) We used to launch water balloons up a hillside with a 3-person slingshot that worked really well.

Answer 8

launch it through pipe using compress liquid gas @2000 psi ,or a potato launcher using butane

Answer 9

considering the object's size and necessary velocity, I would launch it from a magnetic gun,

Answer 10

Diet coke and mentos
smile