Family sends balloon into space

**clone2011** · 09-29-2010, 10:22 AM

My inner-nerd thinks this is pretty cool. Best part is that it's just something a dad did for fun with his kids.

The video is somewhat nauseating, especially on the descent.

Family Science Project Sends Video Camera to the Edges of Space

**azepp** · 09-29-2010, 10:35 AM

I'm starting mine tonight. That's cool.

**Farnsworth** · 09-29-2010, 10:46 AM

Video is blocked at work. How safe is this to have the camera freefall back to earth.

**keepngoal** · 09-29-2010, 10:47 AM

Awesome video... neat project.

A free falling camera isn't safe, but one with a parachute is safe.

-keep

**Cyclones_R_GR8** · 09-29-2010, 10:50 AM

Didn't someone do this a few years ago? I could swear I remember a video where someone put a video camera on a ballon and sent it up until the ballon burst.

**isubeatle** · 09-29-2010, 10:52 AM

that is really cool.

**cyfanatic** · 09-29-2010, 10:54 AM

That is awesome! Is that legal? Would you have to get clearance from air traffic controllers? What if an aircraft hit this in air (odds against it but if it happened??)?

**Clonefan32** · 09-29-2010, 11:00 AM

Did they make sure there wasn't a child in it?

**cyclonedave25** · 09-29-2010, 11:02 AM

Crazy how it lands only about 30 miles away from launch point!

**MrGreg** · 09-29-2010, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Cyclones_R_GR8

Didn't someone do this a few years ago? I could swear I remember a video where someone put a video camera on a ballon and sent it up until the ballon burst.

Yeah, it's been done several times before. And I'm super impressed with each one, it never gets old.

**Clonegrad07** · 09-29-2010, 11:44 AM

They didn't claim that their kid was in it did they? Then call all the emergency groups only to later tell everyone it was a hoax...

**drmwevr08** · 09-29-2010, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by Clonefan32

Did they make sure there wasn't a child in it?

That was my first question!

**iahawkhunter** · 09-29-2010, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by cyfanatic

That is awesome! Is that legal? Would you have to get clearance from air traffic controllers? What if an aircraft hit this in air (odds against it but if it happened??)?

Relevant FAA regs (there could be more): Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: (FAA Part 101, Section D)

It seems as if the regulations are concerned about low-altitude (relatively) operation since that's where it could interfere with aircraft.

**edr247** · 09-29-2010, 02:06 PM

It's been done before. There was a group of MIT students, I think, who sent up a high-altitude balloon for a few hundred bucks. I know of at least two cases.

Still, that doesn't make this story any less cool.

The $150 Edge-of-Space Camera: MIT Students Beat NASA On Beer-Money Budget | Gadget Lab | Wired.com

THEY HAVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR FREE!!
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