Stage 1

The first step is to prove that we can successfully launch and retrieve a balloon that has achieved our desired altitude.  Therefore the first launch will be a "dummy balloon," where only a camera and GPS recovery hardware will be sent up, and perhaps a couple other sensors to get a better idea of the conditions the inside of our module will see.  On the journey to the stratosphere, we anticipate seeing temperatures as low as -70 degrees Fahrenheit and atmospheric pressure about 1% of what you see at sea level (almost a vacuum).  The location transmitting devices then, must be able to survive these conditions in order for us to retrieve the module.

Once we prove that we can successfully launch and retrieve a module, the experimental flight hardware will be launched.  Manufacturing of the dummy balloon has already begun, stay tuned!