HAB Budget Guidance
Budget: Below is a budget guideline to get you started. Note that some of these numbers will vary by time, location of team and variations of team projects/expectations.
Balloon/helium supplies: General ballooning supplies teams should be aware of.
- Latex 2000g balloons (~$250/balloon).
- Parachute ($50-$100)
- Regulator for helium tank ($40-$250)
- Balloon Filling Equipment: Tubing from regulator to balloon filling ‘adapter,’ hose clamps, filling adapter (for example, a PVC pipe that attaches the balloon filling opening to the tubing from regulator), etc. ($30)
- Helium (~$300/flight) *NOTE* Helium prices vary greatly (and have been on the rise) and there are rental fees for tanks to consider.
- Rigging: string/rope, carabiners, ballooning tape (duct tape for example), etc. ($50)
- Cloth gloves for handling balloon ($20)
- Tools: Determining balloon lift, a bucket with weights for example ($30)
- Tools: wrench for regulator, screw drivers, box cutters, etc. ($50)
General Expenses: Expenses teams should include for eclipse flight and practice flights.
- Iridium Airtime Data Fee ~ $13/month plus data usage
- Hot Spot Device: Internet availability is required for tracking and video upload ($30-$50
w/ 2 year contract or retail is $150-$200). *NOTE*Some cellular plans include the ability to use your cellular phone as a mobile hot
spot
- Hot Spot Plan Fees (~$60/month for 4GB)
- Secondary payload supplies
- Travel for the eclipse day(s) and practice flights
- Student support
Miscellaneous: Other recommended additions teams may want to consider.
- SPOT Tracker: The SPOT Tracker is a great backup to the Iridium system for payload recovery. Note that the SPOT tracker must be pointed ‘face up’ in order for it to communicate with GPS satellites. ($170)
- SPOT Tracker subscription ($100/year or $9.99/month)