The GPS cell phone we used to track the location of our vehicle lost reception soon after launch (at an elevation of ~2500 feet). Although we had expected to lose contact with the balloon, the altitude of “last-report” was much lower than expected.
After loss of electronic contact, we could continued to track the capsule visually for about half an hour until the glare of the sun prevented further viewing.
GPS information recorded in the flight logs reported a maximum altitude of 19,853 feet due to software limitations. With some simple approximations (linear extrapolation of velocity - a fair assumption justified after looking through flight trajectories of similar balloons), we estimated that our balloon achieved an altitude of about 93000 feet before returning to the earth. The balloon’s ascent took about 4 hours, and its descent took 40 minutes.
 Earth from 93000 feet. Long Island in the background.
|  Glowing from the sun
|
 Our balloon popped at around 93000 feet, beginning its 40 minute descent
|  The falling balloon
|
 |  |
 |   |
You guys are awsome nasa is Jellous
It is great to see posts on that give truly quality information and facts. Whatever the info you may have provided show the depth of your knowledge & reflects your versatile personality. Thanks for sharing such vital tips about the following.
That’s an awesome comment!
[...] 现在美国的学生们也办到了，来自MIT的两名学生，也使用气象气球+GPS+佳能相机，成功制作了一个“太空航拍器”，并且总花费仅150美元。9月2日，他们使该气球成功飞行了28公里(高度)，拍摄了诸多美丽的照片。这里有他们拍摄的照片。来源 [...]
Great . I will try this myself
2K+11.03.18 “Launch a camra into space” April 2011 Popular Mechanics. Have launched a green chemical light stick inside a inflated white balloon with a noise maker attached by 100′ of nylon line to a large helium balloom. A UFO. You guys do good work. It is so much fun to play, work, and learn at the same time. Thanks RAS
hi, can I use these pictures in a (non-public) website - with credits, of course. Would you be interested in selling copyright to an image if I’d like to use commercially? Pl let me know asap. Thx!
Hi
Really wonderfull pictures! Keep up the good work.
Regards
You all are truly amazing. With all your ideas, I wouldn’t be surprised if ya’ll became entrepreneurs. I’m surprised you are not on the Science Channel.
It’s a great job. Nice!
[...] Flight Pictures В« 1337arts Sep 23, 2009 … There is almost no air resistance at 93000 feet. As you can see from the timelapse video, the images … [...]
Uhhh…It’s ILLEGAL to operate a cellphone in this manner. Keep publishing this and you’ll soon get in trouble with the FCC.
[...] then used a Canon A470 loaded with the chdk open source firmware to take pictures. After seeing the results of their launch, the team hopes that this could rejuvenate interests in science and the arts. [...]
[...] mission-controllers explained that they were inspired to build their $400 craft after hearing about a similar low-fi launch carried out two years ago by students at the Massachusetts Institute of [...]
[...] mission-controllers explained that they were inspired to build their $400 craft after hearing about a similar low-fi launch carried out two years ago by students at the Massachusetts Institute of [...]