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community group sub-forums => tech talk => Topic started by: WhiteShepherd on July 19, 2012, 09:08:46 pm

Title: Raspberry Pi in Space and at Sea!
Post by: WhiteShepherd on July 19, 2012, 09:08:46 pm

Things just get cooler and cooler with the GPIO pins you can really do whatever your imagination thinks to do with this thing.

One group of hobbyists sent their Pi into near space with the PI running a webcam and GPS. 

Here is the Pi's flight 40,000 feet and descending: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGLB9-LdpYM&feature=youtu.be

and the landing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKF-2Bnj5IY&feature=youtu.be


(http://www.raspberrypi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/pi_balloon.jpeg)


Another creative use is a solar powered mini ship with gps and satellite link run by the Pi: http://fishpi.org

Neat stuff!
   
    WhiteShepherd

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi in Space and at Sea!
Post by: Mylo on July 19, 2012, 09:31:53 pm

Just shows what can happen when technology is democratised like this.  :)  The same way laptop musicians rose up because of software studios, the same way crowd-sourcing and open-sourcing has led to countless innovations.  Now the microcomputer itself has been made available to practically anyone for the price of a trip to the movies.  Now that's something.   

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi in Space and at Sea!
Post by: Acton on August 10, 2012, 04:33:47 pm

actually WhiteShepherd, the  max altitude reached was  40KM not 40,000 feet.

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi in Space and at Sea!
Post by: Avan on August 11, 2012, 06:51:16 pm

Hmmm, I wonder what the radiation levels were at that altitude... Apparently not enough that hardened electronics would be required.

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi in Space and at Sea!
Post by: Foxpup on August 11, 2012, 08:20:37 pm

Quote from: Avan on August 11, 2012, 06:51:16 pm

Hmmm, I wonder what the radiation levels were at that altitude... Apparently not enough that hardened electronics would be required.

Actually, it is. Though as with biological organisms, exposure time is a factor. The longer a computer is exposed to cosmic radiation, the greater the chances of a malfunction occurring. A non-hardened computer can probably operate in space for days or even weeks without any problems, depending on your definition of "probably". The problem is that most spacecraft generally need to last for more than a few weeks, and manned missions in particular need more than just a "probably".

Title: Re: Raspberry Pi in Space and at Sea!
Post by: Old Rabbit on August 21, 2012, 05:54:27 pm

Good things come in small packages.  The more available technology is
the better.. Glad to see it.  Lead on pi. :orbunny: