A low orbit space photography experiment using weather balloons, time lapse photography and HD video to explore our beautiful skies.
Project Description
The summer of 2011 is officially the summer of "Exploration." With the last two US Shuttle launches headed to the ISS and the launch of the newest Mars Curiosity Rover, we've never lived in a greater age of discovery. However, with gov't funding cuts and the shift in NASA's focus, the weight of Earthly exploration and scientific experimentation has fallen to those of us still inspired by our own skies above.
BESPIN is a Low Orbit Earth exploration photography project. Our goal is to inspire people of all ages to look beyond and spread their own horizons by launching weather balloons and time-lapse cameras into space to capture the beauty of our planet from above.
We will do this at least 5 times this summer.
Funding
Building and launching this little guy is no small feat. Its no billion dollar NASA event, but it still takes a chunk of change to get us 20 miles up. Your money will help us acquire the following items to make our summer launches possible.
- 5-6 3,000g Weather Balloons
- 5-6 Size T Helium tank rentals
- 1 Big Red Bee BLGPS 2M HP APRS transmitter for location tracking
- 1 TeleMetrum GPS/Altitude Communication Device
- 1 Comet M24 Dual Band Mag Mount antenne (for direct communication with the TeleMetrum)
- 1 Canon Powershot SD1400is 14mp Digital Camera
- 1 Kodak PlayTouch HD Video Camera
Goal
We're hoping to launch 5 times this summer (more if we get more funding, of course) while both capturing inspiring images from low orbit space and attempt to achieve heights rarely achieved by amateurs before. Additionally, we hope to inspire others to explore their world around them in unique and interesting ways.
Pushing our own boundaries only leads to greater discoveries!
Follow Us
Want to follow along outside of Kickstarter? Follow us on Twitter or over on at our site.
Twitter: http://twitter.com/besp1n
Web: http://bespin.sevnthsin.com
Sneak Peek
Some footage from last year's experiment launch, preparing for this year's missions:
Some sneak peek progress on our current payload build!
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
147
Backers
$3,636
pledged of $3,500 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding period
May 4, 2011 -
Jun 3, 2011
(30 days)
- 2 created · 11 backed
- Jamey Erickson 448 friends
- Website: sevnthsin.com
Pledge $1 or more
18 backers
Have your name literally sent into space. Your name will be included on a flight manifest printed, sealed and inserted into every flight.
Pledge $5 or more
26 backers
Get a 1" BESPIN logo pin. Wear it proudly space supporter! (+ all above)
Pledge $15 or more
12 backers
Get a 3" BESPIN logo vinyl sticker. Let everyone behind your car know you're lost in space. (+ all above)
Pledge $25 or more
60 backers
Get a 4x6 photo print of the best shot from every flight this summer. Stick it up in your cube... and tell your friends you helped shoot it. (+ all above)
Pledge $50 or more
12 backers
Get a commemorative 4" BESPIN "2011 - SUMMER OF EXPLORATION" embroidered patch. Proudly adorn your own homemade spacesuit. (+ all above)
Pledge $100 or more
9 backers
Get an 8x10 photo print (instead of the 4x6) from every flight this summer. Frame it, put it on the mantle and tell your kids you may have taken that photo! (+ all above)
Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
Everyone is always welcome at our launches, however YOU get to get your hands dirty and help us prepare for launch. Help fill the balloon, help ready the payload, heck, you may even get to "let go" at launch. (+ all above)
Pledge $1,500 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
Not only will you get to help ready any/all launches, but you'll get to ride along as we track our payload high up into the atmosphere. Ride shotgun, monitor the communication systems, wander through fields/forests and listen to the "Moon" soundtrack on repeat! What a great way to spend a sunny Saturday in MN! (+ all above)
