Paper aeroplane reached edge of space

Interesting project just reported in the media today. A bunch of space enthusiasts made a plane out of paper drinking straws, released it from a high-altitude balloon and took pics with its on-board cameras as it glided back to earth. Total project cost = £8,000. Eat your heart out, NASA.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Technology/Paper-Plane-Makers-See-Success-As-They-Send-Plane-Into-Space/Article/201011215800167?lpos=Technology_News_Your_Way_Region_2&lid=NewsYourWay_ARTICLE_15800167_Paper_Plane_Makers_See_Success_As_They_Send_Plane_Into_Space

Yes! I posted this on facebook when I read it about it! Good on them! Have you heard about the Danish guy who is trying to launch the first amateur manned rocket into space?

Yes! I posted this on facebook when I read it about it! Good on them! Have you heard about the Danish guy who is trying to launch the first amateur manned rocket into space?

Really? Amazing! And scary. How amateur is amateur, exactly? I hope this spacecraft isn't made of paper drinking straws!

Such worries aside, all I can say is wow and good luck to him.

http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Tec ... t_999.html

Thanks for that. It sounds very interesting. The pilot (ok, dummy in the photo) looks rather exposed. Being launched in that rocket must feel a bit like being strapped inside a missile.

Just saw another news story this morning, about a primary school that has its own space programme. Apparently it involved a potato dressed as Santa Claus and is called Spudnik 2.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/spac ... space.html

That's awesome! Probably the best primary school teacher ever! Did it mention how much it cost them there?