Toronto, Canada-based high school students Matthew Ho and Asad Muhammad sent a LEGO figurine almost 80,000 feet above sea level using a weather balloon.

LEGO Man in Space captured views of the atmosphere, from the stratosphere, and a video of the plastic toy hovering above the curvature of the Earth—before the balloon burst at 85,000 feet.

The two teenagers were “inspired to do the project about a year and a half ago when Ho saw a YouTube video of MIT students who sent a balloon to near space”, Ho wanted to see if he could do it too, according to Los Angeles Times.

Ho and Muhammad spent about US$400 and four-and-a-half months working on the project, mostly on Saturdays.

They bought a professional weather balloon at US$85 online, and helium from a party supply store; hand-sewed a parachute; constructed a lightweight Styrofoam box to carry three point-and-shoot cameras; a wide-angle video camera; and a cellphone with a GPS app.

Mitten warmers were also put into the Styrofoam box to keep the cameras working at that altitude.

The two waited for weather conditions that would ensure the LEGO man would land in Canada, and not elsewhere.

The small astronaut took approximately one hour and five minutes to climb 80,000 feet, before its balloon popping—and took about 30 minutes to descend.

LEGO even congratulated Ho and Muhammad on their achievement.

For more information, visit the LEGO space man’s Facebook page.






















[via Los Angeles Times]


Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.



This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.