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.
[...] была заметна невооружённым глазом. К шару студенты прицепили небольшой парашютик, мобильник Motorola i290 (купленный по [...]
There’s something else we all missed: For $30-50 more, they can launch again! New balloon, new helium, new lithium batteries, maybe a few more zip ties. Awesome!
Please tell me where do you get Canon A470 with 8gb sd card for $50.
Nice project and nice pictures, but it’s done before, done before with same kind of rig (JP Aerospace) and I’m doubting the costs. Everything can be cheap if you have the right sponsors (helium, camera, beer coolers, duct tape etc).
You party pooper
You’re saying that they somehow lied about how much they spent on a used digital camera but DIDN’T lie about the actual achievement? I mean, that’s like saying I climbed Denali, but lost three toes to frostbite when I actually lost 3 and 1/3 toes. Dumb.
This would be exceptionally cool for $300, $450, $1000 in my opinion.
Also – see price list and disclaimers.
Did you even read the article? They got the camera used off amazon…
Did you even check amazon prices? Those cameras are not below $80 even without the card.
Achievement is great. As I said, nice project and nice pictures. But it has been done before and there is no reason this is somehow different. This got so much coverage because they claim they are “the first group ever to [...] complete such a launch on a budget of $150 total”. If it turns out to be more expensive, it’s not so new and different after all.
I checked prices the day this became national news, and just so you know, Amazon used items are sold by individuals just like most items on Ebay. Used items on Amazon are generally one shot deals and you will not find that price for an item again until someone else decides that’s how much they want for theirs and they then put theirs up for sale. It is not a store with a distribution warehouse, though Amazon does often show items that are being sold by stores as well as individuals, and Amazon does not have advertised prices good for each and every customer on unique used items for sale. It doesn’t work that way. It is like buying a used sofa in the classifieds in the newspaper. Someone buys it, it is gone. No you will not find that sofa in a shop for the same price. Doh!
That said, the lowest prices I found when I went looking a few days ago were:
A470 camera on Ebay = $45, brand new
Accutracking service for those with phone already = $5 per month total cost.
Motorola i290 = 46.99 brand new on multiple web sites, or $28.88 on Ebay also brand new
These prices put this well within the advertised budget of the project
How did the parachute deploy? What was the mechanism?
The parachute doesn’t need to be deployed. if it’s just sitting on the cooler at launch, it shouldn’t create any drag.
You can also just attach the balloon directly to the top of the parachute. When it pops then the parachute should be in a prime upright position for quick deployment before the whole unit picks up much speed on descent. This approach should also lessen the chance of the parachute cords tangling with the balloon cord that would have otherwise been just adjacent. Good luck.
Brilliant! That’s what I’m going to do! I just wonder if a more efficient parachute, while makeing the survival of the whole contraption more likely, might also make the recovery more difficult due to distance? I guess it’s a crap shoot (wind speed, direction etc.)
[...] Hardware 1337arts [...]
How did they know that the camera would not land in water? Did they have to figure out the angle of trajectry? I would love to try this with my high school!! This would be fun!! I want all the information I can get my hands on!
thats a chance they took… The SD card more than likely will not be hurt if it gets wet but the electronics would be.
They used the free University of Wyoming trajectory predictor. Check it out:
http://weather.uwyo.edu/polar/balloon_traj.html
thats so freaking awesome I wish I could you guys or your company!
send me an email on ways we can keep in touch cause I love stuff like these, its fascinating.
could you like show examples and a few steps with pictures how to set it up. also where did you get the CHDK open source software and antena? and is there any other thing than a phone that you could use as a gps and something to measure temperature?
Gerald…
Google “CHDK” for information on CHDK. Try using google for the other questions too.
Here’s an idea fellas…
How about, instead of a camera, a camcorder.
Camera takes far higher resolution photos than a camcorder for the same weight.
they have to keep weight down FAA reg. state a four pound limit on a private object to be launched
[...] in their pockets. MIT ties all that tech together to a weather balloon in Project Icarus, where for $150 a prepaid cellphone becomes a high-altitude near-space [...]
Maybe buy a used flip video ultra and rig a timer from a cheap digital kitchen timer or travel alarm clock to turn the video camera on after about 3 and a half hours. You can get an hours worth of video.
How did you track the gps? Is there a web site that you use? Something with a map display?
This is just off-the-scale-cooool !
Hats off to you guys. You have totally inspired me, to try this myself !
I’m totally into photography, and I actually already own A630, A640, and A650is cameras + I already knew all about the CHDK hack, for Canon A-series. {these are my babies though, so I will be looking for cheaper A-series on e-bay}
Anyway, being that I’m into photography, and “all things extreme”, I just HAVE to try this
I’m just concerned about the wind in my region of the US. I’m afraid I might have to travel 300 miles to get it back…… and then, depending on where it comes down, it might be extremely tough, if not impossible to retrieve.
None the less, after a little more research, I might just have to roll the dice, and go for it !
Will be checking back often for updates.
Peace,
Fish
PS, I’m thinking that a large, ultra-light styro-foam ice box, with > less than < a 2 lb load, would probably not fall fast enough to damge a well insulated camera, not only without a parachute…. but even with streamers, that were mentioned.
you are totally into photography and yet you own 3 piece of shit cameras instead of one good camera. let me laugh my ass off..
Instead of using Accutracking to report GPS location (which costs $5.99/month) could you use the free InstaMapper (http://www.instamapper.com/)?
Totally, and utterly amazing!
My 13 year old son and I are working to have a go at this. Thank you for the inspiration, and please don’t sweat some of the criticism here – you guys rock!
The future of US Science and Technology is in safe hands thanks to colleges like MIT.
Really, really cool stuff guys…congratulations on the success of the project. I am truly amazed!
[...] φοιτητές του MIT δημοσίευσαν ολόκληρη την λίστα με τα υλικά, που περιλαμβάνει ένα τηλέφωνο Motorola i290 με GPS, έναν [...]
[...] into a mini Hubble telescope. Check out the full story Here and a list of what they used to do it Here. Social Media [...]
My flight instructor took hand warmers for high altitude gliding.
Turns out these hand warmers require oxygen to function, it’s part of their chemical reaction.
They stop working when the altitude goes much above 10k feet… and then surprisingly (to him) start again when you descend.
– Arik
It depends upon the hand warmers. Many are based on a supersaturated salt solution, when “activated” the salt precipitates out, this also happens to be an exothermic reaction(hence the heat) and does not require the presence of oxygen or any other gas. These are the reusable type hand warmers, as by boiling the hand warmers you can dissolve the salt back into the solution allowing for repeatable use. See
Some others work on a redox type reaction that does require the presence of Oxygen, however, these are not reusable. See
I am sure there are probably even more types, so depending on what you get your mileage may vary.
Hey SW. Thanks for the tip about the free InstaMapper service.
Arik – I wonder if the oxygen inside the styrofoam cooler was enough to keep the hand warmers working.