Amateur Near Space Exploration

What can you do with $150 worth of balloon and helium? You can send experiments into near space! Near space, that region of the Earth's atmosphere between 75,000 and 328,000 feet, has an environment far more similar to space than it does to the surface of the Earth. In fact, the near space environment closely matches the Martian environment. While easily reached by balloon, near space is above the altitudes that most airplanes can reach. So, why send objects up into the upper atmosphere? There are a variety of reasons, the most important of which is to learn more about the planet we live on. By conducting experiments in atmospheric and cosmic ray studies, remote sensing of the Earth's surface, radio wave propagation, and astronomical and technological evaluations, we discover more about the world around us. Onboard cameras photograph the Earth's surface from various altitudes, allowing us to see the Earth's curvature. Whole cities or states can be viewed in a single image. Near space exploration is the perfect meld of amateur radio, technology, science, and wonder (especially the latter). After all, who hasn't watched a balloon float gently up into the sky and wondered what it would be like to venture into outer (near) space?