By 
April 9th, 2015
Remember the time when “pigs in space” was in vogue?
But get ready for “spuds in space” – a potato battery to energize a near-space balloon payload.
This “galvanizing” idea comes from the creative juices of Ian Webster, a software engineer at a large search company. Previously, he developed spacecraft avionics and ground control systems at Planetary Resources.
Prior to working in space, Webster was a lead engineer at a startup acquired by Google. He holds a degree in computer science from Dartmouth College.
Kickstarter of an idea
Webster submitted a Kickstarter idea, an effort that successfully generated enough cash to get the concept off the ground.
Credit: Ian Webster
“Special thanks to all the people who supported us and believed when this crazy idea was just a twinkle in the eye (of a potato),” Webster wrote on Kickstarter. As of April 9, $1,811 has been successfully raised thanks to 42 backers.
That funding means getting a very respectable amount of potatoes and sending one to somewhere between 75,000 and 100,000 feet, Webster noted.
Potato-power
Webster told Inside Outer Space that he’s pleased with the way the kickstarter has turned out and surprised by all the support.
“We’re already working with some potatoes and sheet metal to start building and testing large arrays of potato batteries,” Webster said. “These batteries will charge all the devices on the ground, and a smaller amount of potato battery will actually fly in the payload and power lightweight electronics in the air,” he said.
Credit: Ian Webster
Depending on the final amount of money raised, Webster said he’s pretty sure they’ll be sending up a fairly large balloon, with the goal of breaking 100,000 feet.
“We’d love to send a GoPro up, but that’s pending further potato tests to characterize their battery performance, especially at lower temperatures,” Webster added. “Eventually we’ll launch in California’s Central Valley, which is where we have done all our previous, non-potato, flights.”
Credit: Ian Webster
For more information and an eye-catching video on “A Potato-Powered Flight to Near Space” project, go to:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/5113868/a-potato-powered-flight-to-near-space#description
Posted in Space News
