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A "Leg Lamp's" Amazing Journey into Near Space (via a S... - 9/18/2012 10:37 PM   
Endobiker


 

Posts: 1
Score: 100
Joined: 2/9/2011
Last Login: 9/18/2012
From: Arlington, VA, USA
Status: offline 		While not technically video from a plane or FPV, this video might fit best here. My friends and I recently launched a weather balloon into near space. Our goal was to send a "Leg Lamp" (from a Christmas Story) to 100,000 feet.

A mechanical failure caused the capsule to become separated from the balloon/parachute. The capsule free fell from 60,000 feet without a parachute and survived! Amazingly, all the equipment inside the capsule was recovered intact. The video shows the details...

On board, we had a Canon point and shoot (using CHDK in time lapse mode), a GoPro and a GPS tracker. I used a 3S battery to power the point and shoot using a step-down transformer. The camera took over 1,500 photos with plenty of battery to spare.

We coordinated through the FAA and gave them data to issue a Notice To Airman (NOTAM). According to FAA regulations, if the balloon is under 6 lbs, you don't need FAA approval but it is not a bad idea. Apparently University of Virginia launches balloons frequently so the regional FAA center was used to it.

A lesson learned was to NOT USE ZIP-TIES (even the heavy duty kind) to attach the capsule to the parachute/balloon. The extreme cold and the unbellievable high winds caused them to fail one at a time until the capsule detached from the parachute. The capsule was a Rubbermaid box about the size of a shoe box that was filled with Styrofoam.

Enjoy the video,
-Allen




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RE: A - 9/19/2012 3:58 AM   
Weasel Keeper



Posts: 156
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Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Orlando, FL, USA
Status: online 		Very nice! How far from the launch site was the capsule recovered?

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RE: A - 10/6/2012 3:10 PM   
jester_s1


 

Posts: 3802
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Joined: 12/17/2006
Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Status: offline 		Great choice of prop! There are very few Christmas movies I like, but A Christmas Story is one I can watch over and over again. I'm curious- how much does it cost to do this?

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For me, an ARF is an airplane that someone else just crashed.

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RE: A - 11/14/2012 1:46 PM   
MJD



Posts: 5679
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Last Login: 5/23/2013
From: Orangeville, ON, CANADA
Status: offline 		Totally cool gents! Way to go.

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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Aerial Photography and Video >> A "Leg Lamp's" Amazing Journey into Near Space (via a Space Balloon)
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