Near Space Ballooning

What is it?

Near space ballooning is sending a capsule into near space (65,000-350,000 ft) for the purpose of experimentation or photography. When the balloon reaches a certain altitude, it pops (due to the decreasing air pressure), and the capsule falls back to earth, slowed by a parachute. The capsule is found using some form of gps combined with a radio transmitter. 

What is the plan?

My brother and I will be sending a capsule outfitted with a GoPro Camera to take HD video of the entire flight. We will recover the capsule using gps coordinates sent from an Android smartphone. This is where we encounter our first problem: it is technically illegal to operate a cell phone on aircraft, there may be some ways around this (within the boundaries of legality, of course) in our project. In any case, the cell phone will ultimately lose coverage after a certain altitude because of the fact that the signal is ground-based. We are still researching the rules and regulations. After the capsule lands (about 2 hours later), we will send a text message to the phone, and it will report back to us its gps coordinates. 

How much will it cost?

We are looking at about $400-$500 total for the entire mission. Most of this price comes from the GoPro, the balloon, and the helium. We have already purchased a GoPro Hero 2 for $185 (more than I was hoping, but realistically, this is a good price). The balloon will cost $50-$80 and we are buying two in case one of them pops while filling up (I don't expect this to happen, but I would rather be prepared). I have not yet checked helium prices, but we'd like to keep that under $100 (yeah, it's expensive). The parachute will be either handmade or purchased, around $30. The rest of the cost is for other supplies like the line, zip ties, spray paint (black, so that it absorbs most of the sun's rays to heat it up. Temperature can be around negative 70 degrees Fahrenheit), and of course, duct tape. The cost may go up or down depending on what deals we do or don't get.

Where will it go?

We are launching outside of Bend, Oregon. The area there is fairly flat, has few tall trees, and also has sufficient cell coverage. Our target altitude is 100k feet. Horizontally, the balloon can travel anywhere from 10 to 100 miles, given the right conditions. But we're hoping it's closer to 10. 

Why?

Because.

Why because? 

Because we want to. Because few people our age do something like this. Because we can. Because it's there. Now stop asking questions.