November WYLUG: high altitude ballooning and photography November 9, 2009

The next West Yorkshire Linux User Group (WYLUG) meeting is on Monday the 9th of November at Old Broadcasting House. The is talk by Robert Harrison about his Icarus Project "high altitude ballooning and photography".

Robert sends cameras attached to helium weather balloons high into the stratosphere to take pictures of the Earth. An on-board computer takes pictures at timed intervals in various directions and then handles phoning home when it lands.

He'll be talking to us about the challenges involved in designing and building these devices: GPS, HAM radio, nitrocellulose explosives and dealing with interest from the ministry of defence (they tend to notice unidentifiable devices 35,000 feet up above the Earth).

Robert will also be bringing along some of the stuff he's launched for us to see.

The talk is open to all and starts at 7:00pm but the room will be open for coffee, tea and chat from 6:30pm. Afterwards, we usually go to The Fenton pub, across the road from OBH, for more geeky chatter.

Official Website: http://www.wylug.org.uk/2009/11/november-9th-icarus-project-high-altitude-automated-photography/