Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography - Creative Uses of CHDK - CHDK Forum
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Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography

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Offline 1337arts

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Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« on: 12 / September / 2009, 18:25:31 »
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Offline fbonomi

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #1 on: 13 / September / 2009, 02:40:37 »
congratulations!

My launch was also made with COTS components intended to bring down the cost, but your staying under
the $150 limit is a HUGE achievement...

EDIT: info on my launch here: http://chdk.setepontos.com/index.php/topic,3766.0.html

I will be reading your info!
« Last Edit: 13 / September / 2009, 02:49:04 by fbonomi »
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Offline fbonomi

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #2 on: 13 / September / 2009, 03:12:03 »
Extremly interesting, again congratulations.

the I290 is a very good and cheaper alternative to my tracker (TK201 from http://www.mr-lee-catcam.de/pe_cc_o2_en.htm , it costs $145).
It's not available in Italy, alas :-(
I'll have to find out if it would work with italian carriers too... Can you use any SIM card in it?

I am extremely curious about the launch parameters:
- how much did you inflate the baloon (diameter or free lift)
- what was the total payload weight? My guess is it should have been around 600 grams, if you followed the official Kaymont of a launch at 1,25 meter diameter.

also, how did you get affordable helium?

You had an ascent rate was around 6 ft/sec, much lower than I dared, for fear of battery failing before returning to earth.

good job!
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Offline cybercom

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #3 on: 13 / September / 2009, 10:23:54 »
I'm putting on my hard hat whenever I go out now! :o
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Offline 1337arts

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #4 on: 13 / September / 2009, 11:51:59 »
Thanks for your support Fibonomi.

To answer your questions

Can you use SIM card on it?  Yes, you might have to root/update the firmware to enable carrier-switching

How much did you inflate the balloon?  We estimate it at 65 cubic feet. We did not have a regulator for precise measurement.

What was the total payload weight?  We updated the website to reflect the new details.  We estimate it at 800 grams.

Where did you get cheap helium?  We used American Gas products.  They sell helium for about 35cents/ cubic feet depending on the size of the tank that one rents. http://www.agpgas.com/contact.html

We were afraid the balloon would pop too soon before reaching near space.  To increase our height ceiling, we decided to decrease the ascent rate.  

Hope that helped!
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Offline PhyrePhoX

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #5 on: 13 / September / 2009, 15:00:20 »
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Offline mreckt

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #6 on: 15 / September / 2009, 17:43:33 »
And now you are on wired.com:
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/09/the-150-space-camera-mit-students-beat-nasa-on-beer-money-budget?

That wired.com article is also linked on the Yahoo home page!

Way to go!
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Offline Joshatdot

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #7 on: 21 / September / 2009, 17:47:42 »
How long was the whole flight?
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Offline hsia

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Re: Low-Cost Near-Space Balloon Photography
« Reply #8 on: 06 / April / 2010, 10:59:31 »
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