Projects Backed: CB East Physics Club - Space Balloon

It was 2013, the crowdfunding platform, Kickstarter, was beginning to flourish and I found myself browsing various types of projects from arts to things that are of technology related. I do not remember how I stumbled across this project by a Physics teacher from Central Bucks East High School in the US.

So the plan was to deploy a Helium filled weather balloon that can withstand the pressure and temperature at high altitudes to reach the 'Edge of Space' while having a payload attached to the balloon equipped with camera to record the journey, GPS pinger, the pledge gifts and a parachute in between the payload and balloon. All the items are encased in a styrofoam box carefully secured to withstand strong winds and rotational forces. I think it was a great idea to even attempt such a thing but the fact it was initiated by a high school teacher of a Physics club WITH the students is what pushed me to back the project. It is inspiring whether it was successful or not, it was bold and unheard of (for me). I enjoyed supporting the cause and I did get a special mention! Thanks Mike.

Maybe one day I can replicate this project in Brunei. Of Course, there are already challenges such as 'How are we going to get it back?' since Brunei is small and situated near the sea and on a Island! chances are the winds are going to blow it away off this country. We probably need a sort of homing technology built if the goal is to launch and 'land' in the same country, it would be an amazing feat.