I have looked at many similar projects online and one of the things I noticed was that the payload and therefore the camera is tilted vertically and sideways most of the time.
From Alexei Karpenko’s Flight 2.
This payload is pushed by the wind, which is more or less strong depending on the altitude. The Jet Stream for example usually blows from 20,000 to 50,000 feet AGL (About 6,000 – 9,000 meters). At max altitude, the air pressure has dropped so much that I don’t believe there is much wind. Am I wrong?
The payload movements come from its balance, which is usually mediocre.
The good thing about it is that you can get good pictures at different angles (straight down or straight up) and get very valuable information on how the flight went. But that’s only a couple of pictures out of hundreds.
Most people have built it with a regular foam insulated box hanging from a balloon. I don’t think it’s the way to go. To take great shots, I need to keep the camera stable. The camera’s EIS Stabilizer will help, but I can’t just rely only on it.
Now How can I get the camera from moving too much?
This is where Aerial Photography shows its nose. Pierre Picavet invented a greatly used suspension system called after him Picavet. The Picavet suspension or Picavet cross provides a stable, self-leveling platform that resists twisting and swinging movement of a kite/balloon line.
Picavet Suspension Principle
Then for a balloon, I would need a spacer to control the level of the payload.
I don’t think I necessarily need the Picavet cross. I can attach it to the payload directly such as:
Each part must have a specific size for the stabilization system to work at best. It’s pretty easy to build or cheap to buy. You can find some simple kits here and there.
Now my only concern is … once the balloon explodes.
What will happen during the descent?
Have you see all those lines? The payload’s weight will drive the whole system down (picavet, spacer, radar reflector and parachute). I am afraid that this becomes a giant shitty mess during the way down, tangling the parachute and making it crash at full speed.
I think it’s worth the shot and that a problem with it should be easily identifiable during the tests.
What do you guys think?
Picture from Flight 2