Since HAB-1 mission goal was to keep things as simple as possible, the payload was minimalistic. Literally. It was a foam box with tracker and camera.

I mounted electronics inside Home Depot styrofoam cooler. In order to hold everything in place, I hot-glued Velcro pieces to the bottom and walls of the cooler. This way, camera, batteries, GPS and APRS transmitter can be easily fastened with Velcro as well as easily removed.

High Altitude Balloon Payload

I printed a few labels that start with words “SAFE TO HANDLE”. If the payload were to land on someone’s private property, hopefully the words “SAFE” and “$50” would suppress the urge to panic 🙂

Balloon payload