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Autonomous Model Glider Flies from 60,000 Feet

Posted by michael on from the buzz-bomb dept.

saccade writes "A couple years ago we read about a telemetry laden balloon launched to 80,000 feet single-handedly built by a laid-off engineer. Here's an even more elaborate one built at around the same time: A balloon launched model glider taken to about 60,000 feet that autonomously finds its way home. It had an auto-pilot and elaborate mission control system. Also impressive is the extensive testing done before launch."

4 of 170 comments (clear)

  1. Dangerous? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I guess I'm just glad that when it "finds its way home" it doesn't define "home" as "the White House Lawn" - and that the laid-off engineer who built it isn't angry with the world.

    1. Re:Dangerous? by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 5, Funny

      >Nothing at all, which is why missile defence against 'rouge nations' is a farce.

      Are "rouge nations" something like red states?

  2. Re:For once I read the FA by mtrisk · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well if it was only 50nm I'll go out and get it myself then...

    --

    Without a proper flamewar, Anonymous was undecided on what shell to run.
  3. Big deal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I built a glider that can find its way home from 60,000 feet in the air too. The only limitation is that "home" has to be directly below it. Apart from that, my glider, which I have named "SpaceBrick One", has a 100% success rate.