David Donavon's Ballon Project
Prefect for our rocket club venturing into a new arena - from his report...."Basically its just a ARHAB (amateur radio high altitude balloon) project. I had a GPS receiver tied to 2m transmitter, It was programmed to send its telemetry via APRS (automated packet reporting system). I tracked it via a radio/tnc/pc in the chase vehicle and also was able to view it on the web with my cell phone due to internet gateways picking up the signal. I had two cameras onboard, one pointed vertical and the other horizontal, they were programmed to shoot pics every minute.
The flight lasted about 90 minutes, my ascent rate was quicker than I sim'd for. The highest recorded altitude was 88,150 feet. The balloon burst due to little external pressure and the capsule then descends via parachute, recovery was about 60 miles away near the Mississippi river - I was somewhat lucky it didnt land in the drink!"
The view from 80,000' - click on photo for larger pic
Rocketkraft
