Environmental Considerations

[Brad]

Hey Danny. I checked out your updates on the project. It looks
awesome. I just wanted to send some thoughts your way from the pilot
and astro engineer in me...

I'm not sure where you're planning on doing the final launch, but you
might want to check with the FAA before you let it fly. They typically
aren't happy when things start floating through busy airspace. Also, a
good sight to check the winds at various altitudes (predicted and
actual) is aviationweather.gov. That's what we use in the military
before our flights. It should give you a rough idea of where the phone
is headed before you release it... assuming you have an idea of the
rate at which the balloon loses helium and how long it will be able to
stay airborne.

I would also recommend checking out some charts with pressures and
densities at various altitudes so you have an idea of how high the
phone is going.

I saw that you mentioned the extreme cold at high altitudes. Another
thing to consider is a greater exposure to radiation (which can damage
equipment depending on the amount of exposure). Some sort of thermal
blanket can help with both of those issues. They are very lightweight
and can help protect the phone.