P3D Re: Floating 3D

[erker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Greg Erker)]

>Does anyone know the lifting power of the average helium-filled party balloon?
>
>I was pondering the idea of making a couple of ulta-light cameras for hyper
>stereo shots from the air. I feel it's possible to construct cameras out of
>cardboard for single shot application, say spaced two feet apart. The
>shutter would be a simple gullotine arrangement, with simple plastic
>meniscus lenses.
>
>Think 10 balloons would do it?

>From a quickie web search:

Helium, a by-product of natural gas production,
has a lifting capacity of 1.02 kg/m3
(0.0640 lb/ft3).  [from the Airship FAQ]

---
  I assume you need to include the weight
of the balloons. If you use rubber balloons
(rather than mylar) the helium will be
slightly compressed and have a bit less
lift.

  I'd guess that 10 balloons wouldn't
be enough. Perhaps 50?

Greg E.



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