Sunday, November 25, 2007

Near space

Been some silence, I'm getting ready to go back home.

I've become interested in launching my own near space project lately. Near space satellites use helium-filled weather balloons to send a small payload up to 30 km. Usually this payload includes a camera and a gps tracking system connected to a cellular modem of some kind. After parachuting back to the surface the phone contacts you and you go pick up the camera.

Here's a picture from a near space satellite a guy built for just $600:


It could be possible to use such a platform for a high-powered rocket, to send a satellite above the 200 km border that marks the beginning of space and the first altitude at which a satellite's orbit can be maintained against atmospheric drag.

How much do you think I could charge to put people's ashes into space?

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