The Ultimate Weather Balloon Guide to Sending Anything to Near-Space

Summary

In this video, Haley Nelson shares a step-by-step guide on launching a GoPro into space using a weather balloon. She covers everything from assembling the payload with multiple cameras and a GPS unit to selecting the right parachute and balloon. Haley also discusses the importance of weight, legal considerations, and the use of tools like Party City for helium and online calculators for predicting flight path and altitude. The video concludes with her thrilling retrieval of the payload, emphasizing the excitement and satisfaction of such a unique project.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The video is a comprehensive guide on sending a GoPro to space using a weather balloon.
• 🎥 Haley Nelson hosts the video, taking over from Rob and Jonah to share her experience with the project.
• 📸 Haley used five GoPro cameras in different orientations to capture various perspectives of the space journey.
• 🔗 A GPS unit is crucial for tracking the payload's location, with the Spot 3 model recommended for its frequent pinging capabilities.
• 🔋 Extra battery life is essential due to the unpredictable duration of the ascent and descent.
• 📈 The weight of the payload must be under four pounds to comply with legal requirements.
• 🪂 A parachute is necessary for the safe descent of the payload, with the size chosen based on the payload's weight.
• 🎈 At least two weather balloons are recommended due to their fragility and the ease of damage.
• 💰 The most cost-effective source for helium is Party City, where tanks can be rented for two days.
• 📍 Websites like sky vector and predicta Bob are used to determine safe launch areas and predict landing locations.
• 📉 The video details the entire process from preparation to retrieval, including filling the balloon with helium and tracking the payload's descent.

Q & A

What is the main objective of the video?

The main objective of the video is to provide a comprehensive guide on how to send a GoPro to space using a weather balloon.

Who is the presenter of the video?

The presenter of the video is Haley Nelson, who is taking over Rob and Jonah's filmmaking to show this cool and fun project.

What is included in the payload for this project?

The payload includes five GoPro cameras, styrofoam, a GPS unit, and duct tape, all assembled to capture footage from different angles during the space journey.

Why is extra battery life important for the GoPros?

Extra battery life is important because the exact duration of the ascent and descent is unpredictable, so having as much battery life as possible ensures the cameras keep recording throughout the entire process.

What is the maximum weight limit for the payload according to the video?

The maximum weight limit for the payload is four pounds, as anything above that is considered illegal for this type of launch.

What type of parachute did Haley choose and why?

Haley chose a six-foot parachute, which was overkill for their needs, but it was chosen to ensure the payload would descend safely. The size of the parachute should match the size of the payload.

Where is the best place to rent a helium tank according to the video?

According to the video, Party City is the most cost-efficient, cheapest, and most convenient place to rent a helium tank.

What is the maximum altitude a 300-gram weather balloon can reach?

A 300-gram weather balloon can reach a maximum altitude of 80,000 feet.

How can one predict where the payload will land after launch?

One can predict where the payload will land by using a website called predictaBob.com, where you input all the necessary information including the launch date and weather conditions.

What is the significance of the PVC pipe in the balloon's neck?

The PVC pipe in the balloon's neck is used to help fill the balloon with helium and is secured with zip ties to prevent the balloon from slipping off during inflation.

How did Haley and her team retrieve the payload after it landed?

Haley and her team used the GPS unit's tracking feature on their phones to locate the payload. They received pings from the GPS until it went out of range, and then started heading towards the predicted landing site once it was back in range.