Weather Balloon Photography
Discussion
I rarely post on PH these days compared to most people but I have to say this is a fantastic thread. Nice blog and top work! Definitely need a bear in the next payload. How cool would it be to hand a child that bear and say "Look after him, he's been to the edge of space...". Really hope you manage to get the stills camera working next time and hope you can beat the 98,000 ft from last. As the others have said please keep us posted 
On a side note that photo of the two bears in their foil space suits is just epic
On a side note that photo of the two bears in their foil space suits is just epic
TheStoat said:
I rarely post on PH these days compared to most people but I have to say this is a fantastic thread. Nice blog and top work! Definitely need a bear in the next payload. How cool would it be to hand a child that bear and say "Look after him, he's been to the edge of space...". Really hope you manage to get the stills camera working next time and hope you can beat the 98,000 ft from last. As the others have said please keep us posted
On a side note that photo of the two bears in their foil space suits is just epic
The camera was just a panic thing. Next time I'm going for a modular construction so I can put both cameras in last. The batteries in both the stills and video camera are a bit marginal on capacity, so once they're powered up you need to get the the balloon launched about within 30 minutes. Thinking that I had problems with the transmitter, the plan went out the window and I forgot to check everything before launch. Next time the box design will allow me to put the cameras in last, instead of first. It'll also mean I'll be able to check the transmissions at home, so te whole thing will be more relaxed.On a side note that photo of the two bears in their foil space suits is just epic
Beating 98,810 feet, or indeed the magic 100,000, won't be a problem. I thought we had a leak in the balloon so I put more helium in than otherwise necessary. The balloon was fine - the filler had a slight leak. So next time I'll put in the correct amount for the height I want to achieve.
Dave
daveake said:
The camera was just a panic thing. Next time I'm going for a modular construction so I can put both cameras in last. The batteries in both the stills and video camera are a bit marginal on capacity, so once they're powered up you need to get the the balloon launched about within 30 minutes. Thinking that I had problems with the transmitter, the plan went out the window and I forgot to check everything before launch. Next time the box design will allow me to put the cameras in last, instead of first. It'll also mean I'll be able to check the transmissions at home, so te whole thing will be more relaxed.
Beating 98,810 feet, or indeed the magic 100,000, won't be a problem. I thought we had a leak in the balloon so I put more helium in than otherwise necessary. The balloon was fine - the filler had a slight leak. So next time I'll put in the correct amount for the height I want to achieve.
Dave
Can't wait for the results Beating 98,810 feet, or indeed the magic 100,000, won't be a problem. I thought we had a leak in the balloon so I put more helium in than otherwise necessary. The balloon was fine - the filler had a slight leak. So next time I'll put in the correct amount for the height I want to achieve.
Dave
All being well, my second launch will be Saturday morning around 6am or so. Hoping to catch the sunrise (assuming the sun is actually visible!. Well it will be once the balloon is above the clouds ...).
You can follow the track live on http://spacenear.us/tracker/ - click on the "Pan To" link underneath the "CLOUD2" balloon.
The payload is carrying a Canon Powershot taking stills, and a Kodak Zx1 camcorder for the video.
Launch is in Berkshire and the current prediction takes it near Bury St Edmunds, so we'll need to geta move on in the chase car!
Dave
You can follow the track live on http://spacenear.us/tracker/ - click on the "Pan To" link underneath the "CLOUD2" balloon.
The payload is carrying a Canon Powershot taking stills, and a Kodak Zx1 camcorder for the video.
Launch is in Berkshire and the current prediction takes it near Bury St Edmunds, so we'll need to geta move on in the chase car!
Dave
daveake said:
All being well, my second launch will be Saturday morning around 6am or so. Hoping to catch the sunrise (assuming the sun is actually visible!. Well it will be once the balloon is above the clouds ...).
You can follow the track live on http://spacenear.us/tracker/ - click on the "Pan To" link underneath the "CLOUD2" balloon.
The payload is carrying a Canon Powershot taking stills, and a Kodak Zx1 camcorder for the video.
Launch is in Berkshire and the current prediction takes it near Bury St Edmunds, so we'll need to geta move on in the chase car!
Dave
Awesome, good luck for tomorrow morning Dave (or this morning as it is now for you back in Blighty), look forward to getting dizzy watching the next installment on it's way up and back down!You can follow the track live on http://spacenear.us/tracker/ - click on the "Pan To" link underneath the "CLOUD2" balloon.
The payload is carrying a Canon Powershot taking stills, and a Kodak Zx1 camcorder for the video.
Launch is in Berkshire and the current prediction takes it near Bury St Edmunds, so we'll need to geta move on in the chase car!
Dave
baz7175 said:
oilydan said:
Lift-off!!
Looks like it's going off-course a little already!!
Awesome project, might have to try this out here; less to hit when it comes back down
It's goint to get scarily close to the East Coast at the present prediction...Looks like it's going off-course a little already!!
Awesome project, might have to try this out here; less to hit when it comes back down
If it keeps this up It may even cross the N Sea...
ETA: it is back on-shore now, must've slowed a little.
I've lost the box with the stats and stuff
Can still see the predicted landing area.... not looking too good at the moment.
Edit: Just checked on Mrs oilydan's computer and can see the path, surely there is some kind of problem with the tracker? It wouldn't move about like that, would it?
Can still see the predicted landing area.... not looking too good at the moment.
Edit: Just checked on Mrs oilydan's computer and can see the path, surely there is some kind of problem with the tracker? It wouldn't move about like that, would it?
Edited by oilydan on Saturday 17th September 08:32
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