“Taking their iPhone Where No iDevice Has Gone Before, a father and son [drove from Brooklyn to] Newburgh, NY recently took a weekend science project to new heights,” Adam Rosen reports for Cult of Mac.
“Luke and Max Geissbuhler attached an HD Video Camera, iPhone and some styrofoam packing to a weather balloon, then launched their homemade satellite on a journey that lasted 72 minutes and climbed over 100,000 feet into the atmosphere,” Rosen reports. “The weather balloon burst after reaching about 19 miles high, then plummeted back to Earth by parachute and landed in a tree. The iPhone’s on-board GPS helped located the equipment once it landed, undamaged and only 30 miles away from the launch site!”
More info in the full article here.
Could Danny Deckchair be next?..
Could Danny Deckchair be next?..
Now that was pretty cool
Now that was pretty cool
That is seriously cool!
That is seriously cool!
Alice! To da MOOOON!
Alice! To da MOOOON!
That is a fantastic video. You need to watch it to appreciate it.
That is a fantastic video. You need to watch it to appreciate it.
I believe they violated FAA rules, EPA rules, state DNR rules and a whole pile of other rules! Fines will be levied in the amount that will deplete the kid’s college savings fund and put the parents into bankruptcy. But hey, it was a cool idea and I admire them for doing what many use to do before everything became virtually illegal.
I believe they violated FAA rules, EPA rules, state DNR rules and a whole pile of other rules! Fines will be levied in the amount that will deplete the kid’s college savings fund and put the parents into bankruptcy. But hey, it was a cool idea and I admire them for doing what many use to do before everything became virtually illegal.
This story was shared by John Gruber last week. In the comments section of his Vmeo posting, Geissbuhler explained about all the approvals he had to get, including FAA.
This story was shared by John Gruber last week. In the comments section of his Vmeo posting, Geissbuhler explained about all the approvals he had to get, including FAA.
Amazin1:
If you had bothered to read the article, you would have learned that during the research, development and building of the project, the father submitted all the necessary documentation and received approval for the operation of an unmanned lighter-than-air vehicle. He explains it all in detail: weight, size, shape requirements; how many individual threads can the ropes have, how these threads must be able to shred on impact, should an airliner accidentally ingest the balloon and its in the jet engine.
The entire project was extremely scientific, legitimate and by the book.
Amazin1:
If you had bothered to read the article, you would have learned that during the research, development and building of the project, the father submitted all the necessary documentation and received approval for the operation of an unmanned lighter-than-air vehicle. He explains it all in detail: weight, size, shape requirements; how many individual threads can the ropes have, how these threads must be able to shred on impact, should an airliner accidentally ingest the balloon and its in the jet engine.
The entire project was extremely scientific, legitimate and by the book.
Actually, in all fairness, the article doesn’t contain all the details, and as Bubbles says, Vimeo comments explanations regarding construction limitations, as well as required permits.
Actually, in all fairness, the article doesn’t contain all the details, and as Bubbles says, Vimeo comments explanations regarding construction limitations, as well as required permits.
Didn’t this story already make MDN’s entry several days ago (of not weeks)?
Didn’t this story already make MDN’s entry several days ago (of not weeks)?
That is without a doubt the coolest thing. And what a cool dad. His kids are sooooo lucky.
That is without a doubt the coolest thing. And what a cool dad. His kids are sooooo lucky.
What a fantastic Father-Son experience!
Like most of us, my Dad was my hero when I was a kid.
He initiated lots of adventures with me, and enthusiastically joined me on mine when I asked him to.
He helped me build crazy contraptions and rode along on whatever device we thought would be fun to invent.
As so often happens, over the years we’ve grown to have opposite opinions about politics and society. But we don’t fight or argue or try to be right. We’ll always have the respect for each other, and the memories of great times, that a Dad spending time with is kid, creates.
Luke and Max seem like a wonderful example of a healthy Father-Son relationship, and a reminder to parents;
The most valuable commodity you can give your children, is your time.
What a fantastic Father-Son experience!
Like most of us, my Dad was my hero when I was a kid.
He initiated lots of adventures with me, and enthusiastically joined me on mine when I asked him to.
He helped me build crazy contraptions and rode along on whatever device we thought would be fun to invent.
As so often happens, over the years we’ve grown to have opposite opinions about politics and society. But we don’t fight or argue or try to be right. We’ll always have the respect for each other, and the memories of great times, that a Dad spending time with is kid, creates.
Luke and Max seem like a wonderful example of a healthy Father-Son relationship, and a reminder to parents;
The most valuable commodity you can give your children, is your time.
I am sorry if my being facetious and cynical was not obvious. I know we did things as kids that today would almost certainly land us in big conflict with regulatory issues.
I am sorry if my being facetious and cynical was not obvious. I know we did things as kids that today would almost certainly land us in big conflict with regulatory issues.
if you’re going to do this, just be sure to verify with the manufacturer that your selected GPS receiver will work over 60,000 feet. Many don’t.
if you’re going to do this, just be sure to verify with the manufacturer that your selected GPS receiver will work over 60,000 feet. Many don’t.
The big story is that the iPhone wasn’t damaged. The glass wasn’t even scratched. Glassgate anyone?
The big story is that the iPhone wasn’t damaged. The glass wasn’t even scratched. Glassgate anyone?
Totally awesome! Better than any space project Jodie Foster did with her dad in Carl Sagan’s Contact!
Totally awesome! Better than any space project Jodie Foster did with her dad in Carl Sagan’s Contact!
@NHL
I am with you, man. I remember when my father helped me in doing some projects and how skillful he was with wood. Also, he taught me to love fishing and some camping. Time well spent, really.
Good for this father.
@NHL
I am with you, man. I remember when my father helped me in doing some projects and how skillful he was with wood. Also, he taught me to love fishing and some camping. Time well spent, really.
Good for this father.
It did not reach space, however. The beginning of outer space is defined as reaching beyond the Kármán-line above 100 km (~61 miles or about 330,000 feet). [In the US, the line is drawn at 50 miles, or about 80 km, or 264,000 feet]. They were a bit short on that.
Still cool, though. Just disappointed they did not use the iPhone’s camera.
It did not reach space, however. The beginning of outer space is defined as reaching beyond the Kármán-line above 100 km (~61 miles or about 330,000 feet). [In the US, the line is drawn at 50 miles, or about 80 km, or 264,000 feet]. They were a bit short on that.
Still cool, though. Just disappointed they did not use the iPhone’s camera.
All
If possible, let your fathers know of your love and appreciation.
All
If possible, let your fathers know of your love and appreciation.
Amazin1:
After posting my unpleasant response, I re-read your comment and realised what your point actually was. You are most likely correct, in that it is becoming increasingly difficult to do many things today, in the post- 11 September world.
What I find amazing is that practically nobody even notices how entire world now has no problem with taking shoes off before getting onto an airplane. You’d think we have all converted to islam, and airplanes are our mosques (and I don’t mean to offend anyone here who may be Muslim; I’m just attempting a harmless joke).
Amazin1:
After posting my unpleasant response, I re-read your comment and realised what your point actually was. You are most likely correct, in that it is becoming increasingly difficult to do many things today, in the post- 11 September world.
What I find amazing is that practically nobody even notices how entire world now has no problem with taking shoes off before getting onto an airplane. You’d think we have all converted to islam, and airplanes are our mosques (and I don’t mean to offend anyone here who may be Muslim; I’m just attempting a harmless joke).
Just FYI – The iPhone’s maximum operating altitude is 10,000 feet (3000 m)
Not sure it that voids the warrantee, but it looks like it kept ticking.
(yes, I know the iPhone doesn’t actually tick)
Just FYI – The iPhone’s maximum operating altitude is 10,000 feet (3000 m)
Not sure it that voids the warrantee, but it looks like it kept ticking.
(yes, I know the iPhone doesn’t actually tick)
This video really made my day. Fond memories of my father doing projects with me. Can you imagine the stories these two will tell when that kid gets older? Great video. In fact, I’ll go as far to say that this is probably the best video of 2010 for YouTube. Warms my heart.
This video really made my day. Fond memories of my father doing projects with me. Can you imagine the stories these two will tell when that kid gets older? Great video. In fact, I’ll go as far to say that this is probably the best video of 2010 for YouTube. Warms my heart.
Wow, that was awesome.
Completely agree with RickW above. Best use of tech available to the common man, from the hardware all the way to youtube.
Wow, that was awesome.
Completely agree with RickW above. Best use of tech available to the common man, from the hardware all the way to youtube.
Oh here’s the original video as posted on vimeo by Luke Geissbühler. Seems the reposts on youtube are not by the Geissbühlers, so head over to the original post to give them a internet hit boost.
Homemade Spacecraft
http://www
“Visit brooklynspaceprogram.org for all the info.” – L. Geissbühler
Oh here’s the original video as posted on vimeo by Luke Geissbühler. Seems the reposts on youtube are not by the Geissbühlers, so head over to the original post to give them a internet hit boost.
Homemade Spacecraft
http://www
“Visit brooklynspaceprogram.org for all the info.” – L. Geissbühler
I think the next experiment that might be even more dramatic, though I don’t know for certain it would work, would be to run this same experiment in northern Alaska during the Northern Lights and see what the magnetic interference looks like from that height.
I think the next experiment that might be even more dramatic, though I don’t know for certain it would work, would be to run this same experiment in northern Alaska during the Northern Lights and see what the magnetic interference looks like from that height.
Seen that on french Mac websites since over a week! You’re coming late with your news, here! 🙁
Seen that on french Mac websites since over a week! You’re coming late with your news, here! 🙁
WOW – amazing
Thanks for posting this one!
WOW – amazing
Thanks for posting this one!
This video made my day, very very cool!!
This video made my day, very very cool!!
@the other steve jobs
GPS satellites orbit at 20000+ Km, if you have a GPS problem its probably a crap antenna.
@the other steve jobs
GPS satellites orbit at 20000+ Km, if you have a GPS problem its probably a crap antenna.
Some guy did just that in Sweden like last week. But still cool.
Some guy did just that in Sweden like last week. But still cool.
That
was
AWESOME!!!!! Kudos!
That
was
AWESOME!!!!! Kudos!