codykodes Posted October 7, 2010 Report Posted October 7, 2010 Hello, Wasn't sure who this would interest, but I launched a weather balloon with a Canon A540 digital camera payload attached on September 5th, which was lost when the GPS device failed, then recovered by a farmer on Sept 21st, who then contacted me so I could retrieve it! The pictures are great, and just wanted to share my story. I am an aspiring engineer student who hopes to attend U Texas at Dallas in 2011. You can view additional information at my website: www.aerialparade.com Thanks for your time, and shoot me questions if you got em! Boerseun 1 Quote
Boerseun Posted October 7, 2010 Report Posted October 7, 2010 Fan-friggin'-tastic! How did you get the shots? A timer on the camera? And how many shots did you get? Did you somehow protect the camera from temperature and pressure drops? An off-the-shelf camera, or did you have to modify it somewhat? Brilliant pics, by the way! Quote
codykodes Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Posted October 7, 2010 Fan-friggin'-tastic! How did you get the shots? A timer on the camera? And how many shots did you get? Did you somehow protect the camera from temperature and pressure drops? An off-the-shelf camera, or did you have to modify it somewhat? Brilliant pics, by the way! The camera's SD card was reprogrammed with CHDK and a script in BASIC placed on it which took pictures every 10 seconds. The camera was insulated around styrofoam and packing peanuts, and a 6-pack soft cooler was used to hold everything, which was sealed, other than a hole being cut out of the side for the lens to come through. Camera purchased on eBay for $35. Canon A540 6MP Digital Camera. Used Energizer Lithium Batteries to with stand temp extremes, though I think it was well enough insulated to survive even on regular batteries. Quote
TheBigDog Posted October 7, 2010 Report Posted October 7, 2010 Very cool! What altitude did it reach? What altitude were these pictures taken at? Very cool indeed! Bill Quote
codykodes Posted October 7, 2010 Author Report Posted October 7, 2010 Very cool! What altitude did it reach? What altitude were these pictures taken at? Very cool indeed! Bill First picture shown is right before bursting, estimated altitude 89,775 feet, give or take a few thousand Second picture is less, but over 80k still. Only 23 minutes from burst to land back on earth! Quote
TheBigDog Posted October 8, 2010 Report Posted October 8, 2010 How many pictures did you get? The ascent must have been much longer than 23 minutes. Bill Quote
codykodes Posted October 8, 2010 Author Report Posted October 8, 2010 How many pictures did you get? The ascent must have been much longer than 23 minutes. Bill http://www.aerialparade.com/project_equipment.html 1900 pictures total, 631 of which while in the air. My site will likely answer all questions for the most part if you check out the Project Tab. Quote
RDeAngelis Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 go to my website and donate to start my project! My link Quote
DFINITLYDISTRUBD Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) http://www.aerialpar..._equipment.html 1900 pictures total, 631 of which while in the air. My site will likely answer all questions for the most part if you check out the Project Tab.Schweet! Darn good pics especially with the camera being jostled around so much...I have several higher end digital cams that absolutely refuse to take a decent pic unless held almost absolutely still. You mention that the balloon burst. Any Idea why? Was it the cold or did it just give in to overpressure? Will you be trying less inflation to compensate for the difference in pressure at higher altitude for the second go? Or perhaps even encasing the balloon in something similar to modern tent fabric (which could be cheaply and easily obtained) or something else that is light and strong to help with the stresses on the balloon's skin)? edit: missed that bit on your site...will there be a third flight? Edited February 25, 2012 by DFINITLYDISTRUBD Quote
DFINITLYDISTRUBD Posted February 25, 2012 Report Posted February 25, 2012 (edited) Ok, missed that bit in your FAQ . You deliberately burst the balloon. So how long are you allowed to leave one up before the FAA says it must come down? http://www.aerialparade.com/faq.html <----Lots of useful info here ;) Why no pics of launch 1 (Sept. 5th)? Or am I misunderstanding your site? http://www.aerialpar...om/project.html Edited February 25, 2012 by DFINITLYDISTRUBD Quote
codykodes Posted May 17, 2013 Author Report Posted May 17, 2013 I don't think there is a requirement to time in the air, but when you issue a NOTAM you state duration of flight and path, or estimated flight path. They want to know where when and how long basically. So if you say 4 hours and it stayed up 24 and hit a plane you might have issues unless you gave warning of such an issue. The pics of both launches are on my site. The second launch was performed before 5am so it caught the sunrise, whereas the pics from my first launh on Sept 5th are the ones around 8-11am so its blue skies, clouds, and the darkness of space! Quote
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