Project Horus at Linux.conf.au 2012
We're happy to announce that Project Horus will again be making an appearance at Linux.conf.au this year. Like last year, the talk will focus on the technical aspects of our launches, with Mark, Joel & Terry speaking. We're also hoping to release a balloon as a demonstration of our tracking equipment on the day!
Linux.conf.au is being held in Ballarat this year - an hour or so out of the Melbourne CBD.
Horus 19 writeup online
The full Horus 19 writeup is now online. However, we've not yet published any footage of Baker's ride to the edge of space - stay tuned, we'll be publishing that shortly. 
Grant also put together a great behind the scenes video of Horus 19 - thanks Grant! For loads more Project Horus videos, check out Grant's Vimeo profile.
Horus 19: a great success!
We successfully launched & recovered Horus 19 this morning - with perfect weather conditions, it was a great day.
Ready for lift off
Skipping Girl Vinegar came along for the chase, recovering the payload with us just outside of Tailem Bend after a ~3 hour flight.
SGV frontman Mark & Baker the monkey after landing
Many thanks to everyone who helped make today go so smoothly - full write-up including pics & video very soon!
Launch of Horus 19
On Sunday the 27th of November, we'll be launching Horus 19, carrying Skipping Girl Vinnegar's monkey 'baker' to the edge of space.
Launch will be taking place at around 08:00am local time (ACST), with another opening at 14:30 should we be unable to launch as planned.
We will be flying our regular 70cm RTTY telemetry on 434.650MHz, as well as an APRS payload. As always, we appreciate people's assistance in tracking, if you want to follow the launch online you can do it at spacenear.us or at APRS.fi.
Chase & launch teams will be contactable on the day via the VK5RSB and VK5RMB repeaters, as well as in #highaltitude on freenode.net.
Launch of Horus 18
On Sunday the 13th of November we'll be launching Horus 18 at approx 9am local time (ACST).
This launch includes high definition video, as well a number of standard definition video cameras.
Predicted flight path of Horus 18
Telemetry wise, we'll be flying our standard 300baud RTTY on 434.650MHz & an APRS payload. We always appreciate people's assistance in tracking, if you want to follow the launch online you can do it at spacenear.us or at APRS.fi.
Chase & launch teams will be contactable on the day via the VK5RSB and VK5RMB repeaters, as well as in #highaltitude on freenode.net.
The predicted flight path should (hopefully) make for an easy recovery.
Update: Horus 18 was a successful flight! The full writeup is now online.
Project Horus & Skipping Girl Vinegar
To celebrate the launch of their album 'Keep Calm, Carry the Monkey', Melbourne indie band Skipping Girl Vinegar have teamed up with Project Horus to launch a hobo monkey into space.
In the coming weeks, we'll be launching SGV's hobo monkey 'Baker' into near space, along with selected messages from fans and band members alike.
For more details follow SGV on Facebook or stay tuned to the Project Horus blog.
Horus 17 successfully recovered
Despite a lower burst altitude than expected, Horus 17 was a successful test of a pico payload.
The payload was recovered shortly after landing near Mannum. Many thanks to those who helped out with tracking and came out today!
Update: The writeup for Horus 17 is online.
Pico Launch – October 16th, 2011
Unfortunately, predictions for a 35km altitude launch on Sunday would have us landing within the Adelaide metropolitan area (not a good idea!), so we've scrubbed the 4-balloon launch.
Instead we'll be trying a pico launch, with an expected maximum altitude of 20km. The new MicroNut boards allow the creation of these tiny payloads, weighing in at just under 50 grams. The decrease in weight comes at a cost - less insulation. We aim to find out how the MicroNut boards cope with the extremely low temperatures around the tropopause - about -50 degrees C.
We expect to be launching around 10AM CDT on Sunday morning. Any and all help with tracking would be greatly appreciated!
Update: We will be using a 434.075MHz telemetry transmitter. Be aware that the frequency will drift quite significantly due to the low temperatures.
Weekend of launches – October 16th, 2011
October 15-16 this year sees the 54th international Scout JOTA event taking place.
To coincide with this event, we'd planned a weekend of 4 launches, including high definition video & amateur radio repeaters. The payloads are built, the cars & teams are ready, but at the last minute it looks as though the weather is going to stop us from launching. 
There's still a possibility that we may get a launch off the ground if the weather improves, but it looks unlikely that we'll be able to launch the 4 balloons we'd hoped for.
Horus 16 Launch Announcement
This Sunday (18th of September) we will be launching Horus 16 at around 09:00 am local time (~00:00 UTC). This launch is a test of the new MicroNut payload, and another shot at an altitude record. We're expecting a peak altitude of 40km, which will give a radio horizon of around 700km.
Horus 16 Flight Prediction
Those wishing to track can can find the Horus payload on 434.075MHz. As usual, select 'HORUS' from the payload list in dl-fldigi. You can also track it online, as usual.
The current prediction puts the balloon landing around the Lameroo area, so we're in for an interesting chase!
Update: the Horus 16 writeup is now online.