LONG-RANGE OPTICS Fisher presented the portion of the program on long-range optics. He began by explaining the responsibilities of the long-range optical team: • • •
Track the balloon/capsule from lift-off to float altitude. Track Baumgartner from the capsule to the ground if line-of-sight permitted, also confirming parachute deployment. Visually re-acquire the capsule and track its decent, confirming full parachute deployment and landing.
Fisher commented that in some ways the challenge of photographing Baumgartner from a distance of 25 or 30 miles was not unlike assignments he had worked on at the Western Test Range of Vandenberg Air Force Base. However, the Red Bull Stratos program did not possess an existing inventory of long-range optical systems. The feasibility of leasing third-party tracking assets such as military or NASA resources was considered. As Fisher explained, all options were on the table to ensure the best possible coverage, documentation and situational awareness for Baumgartner’s mission. Given the weather dependency of scientific balloon launch – which presents a challenge to precise long-range planning – a flexible schedule would be required, ultimately ruling out third-party options. It was decided to create an in-house system for the mission.
GENESIS OF THE “JLAIR” Facing a rigorous schedule, the team acquired existing assets that could be modified or repurposed to meet the mission’s demands. The result of their efforts was a mobile unit that they dubbed the JLAIR (Joint Launch vehicle and Aircraft Imaging in Real Time), an optical ground tracking camera system with features ranging from infrared to high-definition cameras. Two JLAIR units were created and used for the Red Bull Stratos project.
Red Bull Stratos Scientific Summit
55