weather balloon

For my Senior Design project, I am currently working on a variable buoyancy weather balloon for storm usage! The following images show the sensors and air layout I have built, as well as graphics I have designed. The end goal is a balloon that can go into storms to collect critical atmospheric conditions for modeling systems. The project is based off two arduino microcontrollers, one on the balloon and one on the ground. I am focusing on the build (hardware+electronics) and full software design.

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The basic concept is a closed helium balloon that provides upward lift on our device. We have a beach ball reinforced with layers of ripstop nylon to hold pressure. When compressing more and more air into this ball, it adds weight, allowing the balloon to descend when at max pressure.