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.
[...] Bonus: remember those kids who photographed space for $150? They’ve now put together a time lapse video of all the photos their rig took during its flight. Not quite as cool (or expensive) as the video above, though. [L337arts] [...]
[...] Bonus: remember those kids who photographed space for $150? They’ve now put together a time lapse video of all the photos their rig took during its flight. Not quite as cool (or expensive) as the video above, though. [L337arts] [...]
[...] Bonus: Remember those kids who photographed space for $US150? They’ve now put together a time lapse video of all the photos their rig took during its flight. Not quite as cool (or expensive) as the video above, though. [via L337arts] [...]
[...] Bonus: remember those kids who photographed space for $150? They’ve now put together a time lapse video of all the photos their rig took during its flight. Not quite as cool (or expensive) as the video above, though. [L337arts] [...]
[...] Bonus: remember those kids who photographed space for $150? They’ve now put together a time lapse video of all the photos their rig took during its flight. Not quite as cool (or expensive) as the video above, though. [L337arts] [...]
[...] Bonus: remember those kids who photographed space for $150? They’ve now put together a time lapse video of all the photos their rig took during its flight. Not quite as cool (or expensive) as the video above, though. [L337arts] [...]
[...] Bonus: remember those kids who photographed space for $150? They’ve now put together a time lapse video of all the photos their rig took during its flight. Not quite as cool (or expensive) as the video above, though. [L337arts] [...]
after this accomplishment, MIT will probably give them a grant of like a few grand and see what they can come up with…will probably be pretty crazy…this is amazing…i dont care what any haters have said thus far…this is genius
[...] 800g. Aparentemente, só balões com mais de 2kg precisam de autorização da FAA para voar. Veja esse site, caso se interesse por mais [...]
[...] http://space.1337arts.com/hardware [...]
Congratulation on an excellent job! Love it! I would make one recommendation. Include two cheap mini piezo buzzers attached back t back on a 9 volt battery. It will buzz away for over a week. The noise makes homing in much easier especially around dusk.
The website http://nearspaceventures.com/w3Baltrak/, project landing area too.
Unfortunately, where we fly in NH, cell reception is often lacking (e.g., our cell phones don’t work in the valleys). We have to use tracking beacons and telemetry. The only equipment that comes in close for cheap are the Garmin 110s – you need two.
We have done a few rockoon launches with mixed results. We have done a few balloon throwaways balloon launches using all in one 2.4 GHz video transmitters. A good directional and preamp and you get serious altitude & reasonably descent video.
Was the Canon camera charged during the flight?
[...] It’s in that spirit that I was very happy to learn about the efforts of two enterprising MIT students who, in what they appropriately called Project Icarus, were able to take high-altitude pictures from the “edge of space” with a setup that included a weather balloon filled with helium, a cheap digital camera (Canon A470), a pre-paid phone with GPS (Motorola i290), an antenna (to extend the range of the phone, some basic tracking/geography software like Google Earth and Accutracking, and a styrofoam beer cooler to insulate the setup such that, collectively, cost them only a mere $148! [...]
[...] A group of MIT students wanted to see how cheaply they could launch a balloon into space to take pictures of our atmosphere. For under 150 bucks they turned a beer cooler, camera and prepaid cell phone with GPS into a mini Hubble telescope. Check out the full story Here and a list of what they used to do it Here. [...]
Sorry if this has already been answered, but what software did you use for the camera?
Google CHDK software for Canon. You need to install an intervalometer script.
How did they receive the GPS info from the phone in the capsule?
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I express my deep gratitude for your hard work
Whatever you say, but I do not agree with your point of view about this issue
[...] eBay, used, for $50 (including shipping). This is a bit more than was listed for hardware costs at Project Icarus, but I got the i290 for less than they did, so it should all even out, I think. What I didn’t [...]