Lego men sent into space for $500
QMI Agency
First posted: Monday, November 04, 2013 10:29 AM EST | Updated: Monday, November 04, 2013 10:41 AM EST
Two British researchers sent a balloon with a pair of Lego men attached to it into space, capturing stunning images of Earth.
The Lego men — who represented Jon Chippindall, 31 and entrepreneur Ian Cunningham, 29 — went 27 km into space.
Dubbed the Manchester Meteor, the high-altitude balloon was released Oct. 30. It was made using off-the-shelf products such as modelling foam, Gaffer tape and an Android phone.
The two friends, who met while studying aerospace engineering at Manchester University, completed the project with a budget of just $500.
After the balloon burst, Chippindall and Cunningham were able to retrieve the Lego men using the GPS co-ordinates on the phone.
Chippindall said "with no specialist equipment and minimal engineering knowledge, and for just a couple of hundred pounds," they were able to capture some great pictures of Earth.
A screengrab from the Manchester Meteor. YouTube
Manchester Meteor - YouTube
Manchester Meteor Landing - YouTube
Lego men sent into space for $500 | World | News | Toronto Sun
QMI Agency
First posted: Monday, November 04, 2013 10:29 AM EST | Updated: Monday, November 04, 2013 10:41 AM EST
Two British researchers sent a balloon with a pair of Lego men attached to it into space, capturing stunning images of Earth.
The Lego men — who represented Jon Chippindall, 31 and entrepreneur Ian Cunningham, 29 — went 27 km into space.
Dubbed the Manchester Meteor, the high-altitude balloon was released Oct. 30. It was made using off-the-shelf products such as modelling foam, Gaffer tape and an Android phone.
The two friends, who met while studying aerospace engineering at Manchester University, completed the project with a budget of just $500.
After the balloon burst, Chippindall and Cunningham were able to retrieve the Lego men using the GPS co-ordinates on the phone.
Chippindall said "with no specialist equipment and minimal engineering knowledge, and for just a couple of hundred pounds," they were able to capture some great pictures of Earth.
A screengrab from the Manchester Meteor. YouTube
Manchester Meteor - YouTube
Manchester Meteor Landing - YouTube
Lego men sent into space for $500 | World | News | Toronto Sun