Voyager 1.5 - Build, Launch, Voyage and Loss.
Following the voyage of Voyager 1 out near Lord Howe Island, I was provided with another unwanted model yacht hull, that I could send offshore.
This time I could employ some the lessons learned from Voyager 1 in the preparation of Voyager 1.5.
The main change was the use of closed cell construction foam to pack the hull and ensure that it is intrinsically buoyant. I want to ensure it doesn't sink.
Another change was the use of larger batteries for the Satellite Transmitter, changing from AA Cells to C Cells. This should yield an estimated 6 months of operating time.
Voyager 1.5 was launched from Woodside Beach in Gippsland Victoria, as per Voyager 1.
Once a suitable weather window arrived, it was launched on 13/6/2018.
Another change was the use of larger batteries for the Satellite Transmitter, changing from AA Cells to C Cells. This should yield an estimated 6 months of operating time.
Voyager 1.5 was launched from Woodside Beach in Gippsland Victoria, as per Voyager 1.
Once a suitable weather window arrived, it was launched on 13/6/2018.
The position reports were logged on this page http://ww2.acaciacs.com.au/voyager1.5/.
Progress was slow and after about 2 weeks, Voyager 1.5 hadn't entered the Tasman Sea.
Finally, a big Westerly gale arrived on July 7. This started to push Voyager 1.5 out into the Tasman Sea.
However, at 4am the next morning. the last satellite transmission was received.
What had happened ?
The signal was lost during a gale with winds approaching 50 knots from the West.
That implies that the signal lost due to some sort of breakage.
Possible reasons why it is no longer transmitting:
- There has been electrical failure
- The has been a breach of the water tight container holding the SPOT GPS, and it has been damaged by the salt water.
- The Hull has broken up or been damaged in the gale, and the SPOT GPS does not have a clear view of the sky
We may never know....
