Two twelfth graders paved their way into awesomeness by launching a Lego man into outer space and took photos of its journey using a DiY rig and a $400 budget. Let's check it out!
Photo via photogallery.thestar.com
Mathew Ho and Asad Muhammad are both Grade 12 students at Toronto’s Agincourt Collegiate Institute. They recently launched a balloon carrying a Lego man, point and shoot cameras, a wide angle video camera, and a GPS-enabled cellphone. The balloon traveled an estimated 80,000 feet before popping and dropping. The total travel time took 97 minutes from lifting off and getting back to Earth.
Their project took four months which is mostly comprised of Saturdays and cost them only $400. They programmed the attached point and shoot cameras to take a photo every 20 seconds. “We didn’t really believe we could do it until we did,” says Mathew Ho.
Here’s the video of the Lego man’s epic journey to space:
“It shows a tremendous degree of resourcefulness,” says Dr. Michael Reid, a University of Toronto astrophysics professor. Noting that similar projects had been undertaken by PhD students, he said, “For two 17-year-olds to accomplish this on their own is pretty impressive.”
This DiY project is truly amazing and inspiring. They accomplished something that not many people their age can. It’s a great example of what you can achieve if you really put your time and effort into it.
6 comments
coolbober
http://www.youtube.c(…)ure=related
Rick already did it
neanderthalis
I like that they had the Lego cosmonaut.
mikeydavies
okay im doing this....
nattykins
Awesome!!! :D
speezberry
Sound Can't travel in space. Why did we hear the balloon pop?
natalieerachel
Soooooo nuts