On June 8, 2013, a group of Stanford Students (Bryan Chan, Ashish Goel, Tyler Reid and Paul Tarantino) and I set out to launch a high-altitude balloon over the Grand Canyon to gather data for my dissertation work on Fluid Lensing. The experiment consisted of gathering high-resolution and high frame rate video data over a target of interest (and beauty) from above 65,000 ft. The payload consisted of two high frame-rate commercial cameras (a Sony HD camcorder (nadir pointing), a GoPro Hero3 (horizon pointing) and a prototype Samsung phone from Broadcom (also horizon pointing) to telemeter data, record pressure, temperature and altitude. After receiving the FAA go ahead, we successfully launched the balloon to an altitude of 97,000 ft before loosing signal. The payload was recovered intact by Arizona resident Pearl Tsosie while on a hike! Here is our story (video compiled by Bryan Chan):

Blog Posts & Updates:

MAY 31, 2013 - Announcing High-Altitude Balloon Test of Fluid Lensing

JUNE 8, 2013 - Balloon Launch!

JULY 4, 2013 - Balloon Payload Search & Map

 

Preliminary Gallery: