Acronaut is a weather balloon experiment launched June 2nd, 2012. It was launched in Lancaster, CA. It used an iPhone 4 as its video camera and GPS, using a custom application to regulate its flight.

Design

The iPhone was contained within a plastic project box insulated with two layers of foam. Additionally, to compensate for subzero temperatures, the box contained two heating packets. The plastic box was mounted on an aluminum cylinder. The cylinder is hollow and flexible, such that it bends upon impact.

Software

During the launch, the iPhone ran a custom app that allowed simultaneous video recording and GPS receiving. Plus, in order to retrieve the phone, the app provided automated text messaging—as soon as the iPhone found an available network during descent, it sent out a text message with its location. (The phone would also respond with its location upon request via text message.)

Flight

The specific launch site was chosen for its isolation from roads and buildings, as well as its satisfactory network coverage. (The iPhone required a network to transmit its location.) The weather balloon was inflated to 6 feet in diameter, using roughly 115 cubic feet of helium.

It was released at 8:43 AM on June 2, 2012. Due to high winds, it was estimated to land at approximately 12:30, long after the iPhone's battery died. Luckily, it was recovered in Barstow, about 60 miles east of its launch location. (Thank you to Sandy from Newberry Springs for kindly returning it!) All parts were completely intact, and all recorded video was salvaged from the phone.