Design and construction of Atmospheric Telemetering Devices

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to build and fly a radio-controlled model airplane, which would be used to carry radio telemetering instruments. These instruments would measure temperature, pressure, and wind speed in the atmosphere. The pressure transducer would also serve as an altimeter, while the wind speed indicator would measure air speed. This proposed project was not carried out in its entirety. Considerable time was spent building and outfitting an airplane, but because of' the lack of radio control instruments emphasis was instead placed on the radio-telemetering instruments. Some time was also spent trying to devise a system for an auto-pilot that would measure the equipotential lines of' the earth. These equipotential lines are perpendicular to the electrostatic field and thus parallel to the level. The instruments to measure the equipotential lines were unstable and worked effectively only when close to moist ground.