By 
January 1st, 2016
Credit: Night Crew Labs
Thanks to an Arizona hiker, a high-altitude balloon experiment has been reclaimed last year – missing for some two years.
Launched via weather balloon in June 2013, the soaring science payload included a GoPro Hero3, Sony Camcorder, Samsung Galaxy Note II phone.
The GoPro and camcorder were recording video footage, while the phone was taking still images.
The balloon carried the payload to a maximum altitude of 98,664 ft (30.1 km). Time of flight lasted one hour, 38 minutes.
Beauty of Earth
Headquartered at Stanford University, Night Crew Labs is on a mission to captivate viewers by showcasing the beauty of Earth from unique, rarely-seen perspectives.
Credit: Night Crew Labs
In addition, Night Crew Labs conducts scientific research, and promotes STEM outreach as well as worldwide nature conservation efforts.
Exposures and composure
“Our high altitude balloon mission over the Grand Canyon…this mission tested principles of fluid lensing as well as the capability of smartphones to perform GPS navigation at high altitudes,” notes the website of the Night Crew Labs. “Due to some unforeseen events, we lost track of our balloon and didn’t get back until a hiker came across it two years later.”
The upshot of regaining their exposures and composure is that their first video feature — “Grand Canyon from the Stratosphere!” — has reached over 6 million viewers, captivated audiences around the world.
Next up
The success of the Grand Canyon Balloon Mission has motivated Night Crew Labs to aim higher with a more go-getting mission: to capture the northern lights from a high-altitude balloon in Alaska.
Credit: Night Crew Labs
“To accomplish this, we are now pursuing an aggressive timeline which will require a more complex, and technologically advanced build,” the team reports.
Resources
To take a stratospheric ride above Earth, check out this video of the launch preparations, video footage, and some data analysis of the flight, go to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EABQ5psUz70
To keep up to date with future projects of the Night Crew Labs, go to:
Posted in Space News
