In a breathtaking experiment that took the GoPro camera to new heights, YouTuber BloonStu has successfully launched a high-altitude balloon into "near space," capturing the curvature of Earth from the edge of space. The ambitious project offered a unique and stunning view of our planet, far beyond what traditional photography can achieve.

Known for its rugged durability and high-quality imagery, the GoPro has long been celebrated for documenting thrilling moments. However, BloonStu’s project pushed its capabilities to an extraordinary level. The high-altitude balloon lifted the GoPro camera high above the clouds, reducing them to mere specks beneath and revealing the stunning beauty of Earth against the backdrop of space.

The balloon ascended until it eventually burst, releasing the camera and payload back to Earth. To recover the precious footage, BloonStu utilized a GPS tracker placed in the payload, which allowed for precise location tracking after the balloon burst. The footage and GoPro were successfully retrieved from the site.

BloonStu ensured that all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations were adhered to throughout the experiment. The YouTuber notified the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) of the planned launch and filed a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) with the Fort Worth center for balloon activity. The caption of the video shared by BloonStu read, “All designed and launched by myself. All FAA regulations were followed, the FSDO was notified and given all the details, and a NOTAM was even filed with Ft Worth center for balloon activity.”

When asked about the motivation behind the experiment, BloonStu commented, “Mostly, I had free time and needed a project/hobby to keep me engaged; secondly, space is neat.” The resulting footage not only showcases the extraordinary view from near space but also highlights the innovative spirit behind this remarkable project.