Two intrepid students from the University of Sheffield have helped school children in the city capture stunning images of the Earth from the edge of space.
The students have now shared their ingenious ideas and expertise with pupils from Sheffield High School during an out-of-this-world science and engineering lesson.
Credit: University of Sheffield
Like their maiden voyage, last week’s launch (7 June 2012) was a tremendous success. Despite soggy weather conditions the balloon captured some amazing images on its two hour flight.
Alex Baker said: “The launch was a resounding success. We set up at 8am at Sheffield High School. We set the camera to record and the data sensing equipment to log the information and then filled the balloon and let go.
Earth from the edge of space taken with camera in a box carried by a balloon
Credit: University of Sheffield
Last year, Alex Baker and Chris Rose, both PhD students from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, sent a helium-filled balloon with two video cameras and a tracking device 37km into the atmosphere to film breathtaking images of our planet.
Last year, Alex Baker and Chris Rose, both PhD students from the University of Sheffield’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, sent a helium-filled balloon with two video cameras and a tracking device 37km into the atmosphere to film breathtaking images of our planet.
Pupils prepare for launch
Credit: University of Sheffield
The balloon takes off
Like their maiden voyage, last week’s launch (7 June 2012) was a tremendous success. Despite soggy weather conditions the balloon captured some amazing images on its two hour flight.
Alex Baker said: “The launch was a resounding success. We set up at 8am at Sheffield High School. We set the camera to record and the data sensing equipment to log the information and then filled the balloon and let go.
Another image from the edge of space
Credit: University of Sheffield
“The balloon’s flight time was two hours and 25 minutes and from our estimates we believe it reached altitudes of just over 30km. The equipment landed safely in a field near York where we, along with pupils from the High School and their teachers, picked it up.
“The footage clearly shows the curvature of the earth, the thin blue line of the atmosphere and the blackness of space. The students involved seemed thrilled to be part of the project and were equally excited to see the brilliant images.”
The device, which was built by Alex and Chris in their spare time, consisted of a foam box, a parachute for the descent and the balloon.
The electronic equipment had to be well insulated due to the extremely cold temperatures at such high altitudes.
A GPS tracking system, CATtrack, sent a text displaying its location when rung, allowing it to be collected. However, the whole device cost just £500 to build.
Chris Rose said: “We were both really happy to run this project with the school, and thrilled that it was a success. The footage looks stunning and everyone involved was really enthusiastic and excited to have been part of the experience.”
“The balloon’s flight time was two hours and 25 minutes and from our estimates we believe it reached altitudes of just over 30km. The equipment landed safely in a field near York where we, along with pupils from the High School and their teachers, picked it up.
“The footage clearly shows the curvature of the earth, the thin blue line of the atmosphere and the blackness of space. The students involved seemed thrilled to be part of the project and were equally excited to see the brilliant images.”
The device, which was built by Alex and Chris in their spare time, consisted of a foam box, a parachute for the descent and the balloon.
The electronic equipment had to be well insulated due to the extremely cold temperatures at such high altitudes.
A GPS tracking system, CATtrack, sent a text displaying its location when rung, allowing it to be collected. However, the whole device cost just £500 to build.
Chris Rose said: “We were both really happy to run this project with the school, and thrilled that it was a success. The footage looks stunning and everyone involved was really enthusiastic and excited to have been part of the experience.”
Back down to Earth
Credit: University of Sheffield
Alex and Chris are now hoping to inspire engineers of the future with further balloon launches with local schools in the region.
Alex and Chris are now hoping to inspire engineers of the future with further balloon launches with local schools in the region.
Balloon facts:
Flight time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Estimated maximum altitude: 30km
Cost: £500
Measured lowest temperature experienced: - 48 C
Lowest pressure measured: 7mbar (less than 1% of the air pressure at sea level)
Lowest humidity measured: 0%
Contacts and sources:
Amy PullanUniversity of Sheffield
Flight time: 2 hours, 25 minutes
Estimated maximum altitude: 30km
Cost: £500
Measured lowest temperature experienced: - 48 C
Lowest pressure measured: 7mbar (less than 1% of the air pressure at sea level)
Lowest humidity measured: 0%
Amy PullanUniversity of Sheffield
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