4 ms·

They aren't the first to do something like this. Here's a very similar project made in 2007: http://www.natrium42.com/halo/flight2/ http://www.natrium42.com/h

by cesare 17y ago

They aren't the first to do something like this. Here's a very similar project made in 2007: http://www.natrium42.com/halo/flight2/ http://www.natrium42.com/halo/flight2/

jmtame 17y ago
i think the cost is the surprising factor about this story. taken from the site you posted: Q:How much did it cost? A:The system that is presented is a little over-engineered for historical reasons as well as for future expansion and test purposes. It's possible to build a system for $500 with just a cellphone link and a microcontroller, but make sure that coverage is good where you intend to launch and use a good cellphone antenna.
- cesare 17y ago
  True. But consider also that this has been made two years ago, with 2007 technology. Edit: Take the camera for instance. The MIT students used a Canon PowerShot A470 (they bought it used from ebay) which costs $120 new and is 7 mega pixels. This guy used a similar camera (Canon PowerShot A70) which was only 3.1 mega pixels and costed $350 when it came out.
  - kreneskyp 17y ago
    Oregon State University launched a balloon to commemorate 100 million downloads of Firefox. They used a disposable camera with a simple timer wired to it. They didn't include a GPS unit though because it was "too expensive", the camera has yet to be found. The cannon would take better pictures, just pointing out that its not the cheapest route. http://lug.oregonstate.edu/events/firefox/sky http://lug.oregonstate.edu/events/firefox/sky
charltones 17y ago
Also a Cambridge, UK project started 2006: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/nova.php http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/nova.php As well as taking photos, they've taken passengers: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/images/nova9selected/teddies5.jpg http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/images/nova9selected...

4 ms·

They aren't the first to do something like this. Here's a very similar project made in 2007: http://www.natrium42.com/halo/flight2/ http://www.natrium42.com/h

by cesare 17y ago

They aren't the first to do something like this. Here's a very similar project made in 2007: http://www.natrium42.com/halo/flight2/ http://www.natrium42.com/halo/flight2/

jmtame 17y ago
i think the cost is the surprising factor about this story. taken from the site you posted: Q:How much did it cost? A:The system that is presented is a little over-engineered for historical reasons as well as for future expansion and test purposes. It's possible to build a system for $500 with just a cellphone link and a microcontroller, but make sure that coverage is good where you intend to launch and use a good cellphone antenna.
- cesare 17y ago
  True. But consider also that this has been made two years ago, with 2007 technology. Edit: Take the camera for instance. The MIT students used a Canon PowerShot A470 (they bought it used from ebay) which costs $120 new and is 7 mega pixels. This guy used a similar camera (Canon PowerShot A70) which was only 3.1 mega pixels and costed $350 when it came out.
  - kreneskyp 17y ago
    Oregon State University launched a balloon to commemorate 100 million downloads of Firefox. They used a disposable camera with a simple timer wired to it. They didn't include a GPS unit though because it was "too expensive", the camera has yet to be found. The cannon would take better pictures, just pointing out that its not the cheapest route. http://lug.oregonstate.edu/events/firefox/sky http://lug.oregonstate.edu/events/firefox/sky
charltones 17y ago
Also a Cambridge, UK project started 2006: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/nova.php http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/nova.php As well as taking photos, they've taken passengers: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/images/nova9selected/teddies5.jpg http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~cuspaceflight/images/nova9selected...