THE ORIGIN
The name "Dorothy" is a reference to the device that the characters use to study tornados in the 1996 movie Twister. In this movie the reference come from Dorothy Gale from the Wizard of Oz.
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We built the first version of our module in August 2017 when we first try to capture the Moon's shadow during the total solar eclipse that crossed America.
DOROTHY
VERSION 6
This version was designed with a specific mechanical camera retraction system inside the module to protect the main camera during landing. This system would activate at a predetermined altitude, controlled by an onboard computer and an altimeter.
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Fun fact : one of the two cores of the onboard computer was program to continuously calculate pi to generate heat and help keep the onboard system warm.
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The module was constructed using composite materials, primarily carbon fiber, and custom-made parts that were 3D printed and reinforced with fiberglass and epoxy.​
ALTITUDE MAX
31556 m
TOTAL LAUNCHES
1
DOROTHY
VERSION 7
This version of the module was specially designed for the Mission Umbra. It is a simplified version of version six, but much more versatile.
It is a modular version that can support up to four cameras and was designed with the ability to attach extensions for future missions. It is also the first module that is 100% waterproof, capable of falling into a lake without sinking.
It is so efficient that we have already used it for three different missions. We plan to build the eighth version of Dorothy, while retaining the best features of this design.​​
ALTITUDE MAX
35276 m
TOTAL LAUNCHES
3
