Check out Earth from space for $150

[lancec2c30]

SPACE.com -- Student-Built Space Camera Photographs Earth, Costs $150

Some students at MIT launched a cheap Canon camera on a helium balloon and got pictures of Earth from the edge of space. They did it for $150.00.

 

[Nubbleet]

That beats NASA's billions

 

[HAVOC]

I would have thought that they would have to contact the local FAA and let them know they were launching something that could potentially travel to 93,000 feet. I mean at 10-39K feet there could have been aircraft. I doubt an aircraft traveling at 500+ MPH would enjoy blasting through their experiment.

It's cool though. Not how I'd spend $150. but cool.

 

[wafflehammer]

^^^ good point...

and why do space shuttles need all these heat shields when a little camera can survive...?

 

[Apokalipse]

Maybe somebody should show this to the Flat Earth Society

^^^ good point...

and why do space shuttles need all these heat shields when a little camera can survive...?

the little camera isn't a giant brick weiging many tonnes plunging through the atmosphere at extreme velocitites. It just gently floated down on a helium balloon.

 

[HAVOC]

The SS shields not only protect against heat, but cold as well.

The SS reentry speeds are over 25,000 Feet Per second. or roughly 17,000 MPH.

That camera contraption reentered only at 38.75 Feet Per second. (If my math is correct?)
93,000 feet - touch down to earth in 40 minutes? 40x60seconds. 2400 seconds / 93,000K feet