We designed a low cost balloon-launch platform that did not require the use of expensive equipment such as radio modems (the total cost of our device did not exceed 150 dollars) or complicated hardware hacking (all of the components of our device were common electronics available off-the-shelf in stores).
The GPS receiver was a Motorola i290 “Boost Mobile” prepaid phone with internet and GPS capability (set up with Accutracking to constantly report its GPS location).
We bought a AA-battery cell phone charger to sustain the phone’s power over the duration of the flight, and we used Energizer lithium batteries (rated to operate at temperatures are low as -40F) to power both this charger as well as our camera.
As a further safeguard against electronic/battery failure due to low temperature, we utilitzed Coleman disposable hand warmers (placed near our electronics) to help keep our equipment warm in the cold of the stratosphere.
We loaded a Canon A470 camera (bought used on Amazon) with CHDK open source software to enable a feature which allowed the camera to take pictures continuously (intervalometer). Using this feature, we set the camera to take a picture every 5 seconds at a 1/800 second shutter speed. With an 8GB card, the camera was able to chronicle the whole journey of the balloon from launch to retrieval. (~5 hours)
Equipment Used in the Launch Capsule
| Item | Weight | Cost |
| Sounding Balloon 350g from Kaymont | 350g | ~$20 +$20 (helium) |
| Parachute | ~10g | ~$3* |
| Motorola i290 Prepaid Cellphone | ~90g, | ~$50** |
| Styrofoam Beer Cooler | ~15g | ~$0 |
| Duct Tape | ~10g | ~$0 |
| Zip Ties | ~5g | ~$0 |
| Canon A470 with 8GB SD card | ~165g, | ~$40*** |
| Insulation material- newspaper | ~5g | ~$0 |
| Duracell USB phone charger powered by AA batteries | ~20g 1oz | ~$10 |
| Instant Hand warmer | ~5g | ~$2**** |
| 4 Ultimate Lithium AA batteries | ~15g * 4 = 60 g | ~$5 |
| Radar Reflector (aluminum foil) | ~0g | ~$0 |
| Total | ~800g, /w misc. | ~$150 |
* Two things:
(1) We had one of these laying around, so we’re actually a little unclear about how much it would cost to get a plastic parachute with strings, but we can’t imagine it would be that much. However, we actually created a second launch vehicle using a trash bag as a parachute, so that is one way people could probably cut costs.
(2) It may not even be necessary to attach a parachute. For instance, I think that a large number of streamers dangling off the back of the box might provide enough drag to slow it down to a comparable landing speed.
** Some people have told us (and we have confirmed after some searching online) that the cost of the cell phone (usable for a similar launch) can actually go as low as $30. We paid $50 for ours though.
*** This was a lucky grab for us. One can do the same with a 4GB SD card with picture intervals of 10s each, and that will save you about $10. You can find cheap cameras on ebay or Amazon (used). You probably want to send a used one up anyways, considering the harsh conditions it will be subject to.
**** A packet of 6 handwarmers can be bought for ~$5 from Target. We used two handwarmers for our launch, one pressed against the camera and one pressed against the cell phone.
***** Many people have asked about the antenna in our pictures. It was an extra part from a used wireless router. However, i don’t actually think it’s necessary to have one (and in our second vehicle, we actually didn’t add the antenna.) As long as the cell phone can report its location after landing, one should be okay.
Wow, very impressive guys.
I saw this on slashdot, and immediately called a few friends. My highschool science club now has a new project.
My question, though, is, how did you attach the external high gain cell antenna? Did you just solder a pigtail line onto the internal patch antenna, or is there an antenna you can buy specifically to the Motorola i290?
The first meeting of my science club is Tuesday. I’ll be sure to drop y’all a line when we launch our creation.
You guys should compile the images into a time lapse video. Would love to see that. VERY cool stuff. I’m interested it trying it myself. Thanks for documenting all the steps with such detail.
+1, Definitely time lapse that. Get Quicktime Pro, and do it. Easy, do it on a beefy pc, goes a lot smoother. lol. Great job guys.
Dude, they just put a camera in space for $150. I think they can pick their own software too.
Dude hardware is not software.
Especially considering that they “loaded a Canon A470 camera (bought used on Amazon) with CHDK open source software”
So, I’m a little confused here. What is interesting or surprising about this project? We all know that really cool consumer electronics can be purchased on the cheap, and the technical aspect of this project isn’t impressive. Lastly, does anybody actually care to see the images? From what I can tell, the quality is poor, and it’s not as though one can’t find nearly identical (for most purposes) shots with a quick search.
Furthermore, the lack of responsibility demonstrated by these (clearly) young students is disappointing — isn’t it obvious that it might be a bad idea to float a non-trivial amount of mass high enough that one cannot reliably calculate its landing site, much less its trajectory through a heavily-trafficked flight space?
I agree with unimpressed coward. Why take high altitude pictures if someone already took high altitude pictures? I was going to take a trip to Europe earlier this year, but I heard there’s already people there, so why go myself? I was going to learn to play guitar, but some people already know how to play guitar and some of them are pretty good – so why learn myself? I was going to build a launch vehicle and go to Space, but even a monkey has already been there! I think we aught to stay put and not do all these boring things that other people have already done. Just stay in and watch TV instead!
Wait – I just realized that there are already a bunch of people who are on this Internet thing, and they probably have better computers and faster internet. I’m going to disconnect now and go kill myself.
I am unimpressed that you couldn’t be anymore of a douchbag.
Furthermore i am sure you went to one of the best schools in the country i mean its not like they are MIT students right? OH WAIT they are.
I agree with Sam and Anonymous. Get a life “Coward”. I’m actually unimpressed that YOU didn’t think of it first. Common guy? Girl maybe? Transvestite probably? Step out of your trailer park and enjoy life a little. These students are brilliant. Amazing idea and I’m sure they have influenced many more near-space explorers to come. Great job guys! KUDOS!
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Nice ! Not a new idea though http://www.pegasushabproject.org.uk
“..we set the camera to take a picture every 5 seconds at a 1/800 second shutter speed. With an 8GB card, the camera was able to chronicle the whole journey of the balloon from launch to retrieval. (~5 hours)..”
So, theoretically you could now turn those images into some kind of movie..?
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i cant wait to see the video of the baloon travelling up… can u make a video next time???
Yes, it’s been done before (http://www.natrium42.com/halo/flight2/ is one of the best I’ve seen) but the real innovation here is that it’s been done with relatively cheap off the shelf hardware that doesn’t require a knowledge of electronics or programming to achieve. I’m really impressed.
To the people wanting a time-lapse video of the whole flight: the baloon and camera will have been spinning around all the time. Stiching together images pointing in random directions wouldn’t make a watchable video.
Great stuff.
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
[...] seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]
http://teslabs.com/meteotek08/
[...] past, I’ve never seen it done so cheaply. High school science teachers, please take note! [L337arts via [...]