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| The British Amateur Space / Rocket Programme |
Video Camera Transmitter
The onboard CCD video camera transmits live pictures to the ground, fromlaunch through to touchdown, using a transmitter designed by the avionics team. This is thefirst time that such a system has been demonstrated on an amateurrocket in the U.K. In fact, it is the first time that an onboard video camera has been flown on an amateur rocket in the UK at all.The transmitter uses a microstrip constructionmethod, and transmits at 1.2 GHz. Voltage requirements are a 12V supply.
CCD Video Camera
The CCD video camera is mounted on 2 PCB`s connected by a ribboncable. This allows the PCB`s to be folded back to back (with a foampad placed between them for insulation). One PCB is fitted with theCCD and lens, while the other PCB is fitted with the associated electronics. The resolution of the CCD is 320 x 160 pixels. Voltagerequirements are a 12V supply.
Video Camera Payload Housing
The entire onboard video camera flight system (CCD VideoCamera, Transmitter and batteries) fits in a housing the same size as a large box of matches.
The onboard CCD video camera is mounted so as to point at an angleof 30 degrees downward from the horizontal. A viewing window is builtinto the side of the ADV payload bay for the purposes of the videocamera. The video camera is fitted with a wide angle lens.
Video Camera Ground Receiver
The receiver is a commercially available satellite TV receiver, modified by the avionics team. The satellite receiver is connected to a video recorder and a monitor, so as well as being able to safely record the flight on the ground, the footage from the onboard video camera can be observed in real time.
Video Camera Power System
Power to the ground systems is supplied by rechargeable lead-acid car batteries.Power to the onboard video camera is supplied by rechargable Nickel-Cadmium batteries.
Video Camera Flight Tests - Analysis and Results.
The Video Footage from the rocket flights of the video cameras has now been converted to VHS PAL video format. Some of the onboard video footage has also been converted to AVI format, allowing the analysis of the video footage to take place.
The results obtained indicate not only that live video transmission is possible from a rocket during the ascent, as well as post apogee parachute deployment, but that they provide valuable remote sensing imagery.
CCD Video Camera Airborne Flight Tests.
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Prior to the rocket powered flight tests of the CCD video camera, airborne tests were conducted by suspending the first CCD video camera under a large lifting kite, which was raised to 300 feet altitude. This allowed the concept to be tested repeatedly, for very little cost.
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The video footage recorded, was then analysed to determine the optimum camera angle for the rocket powered flights.
The tests were carried out in 1994 in Bath, Avon.
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