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TROY, N.Y. -- A group at RPI dedicated to putting outer space back on the map has taken a big step in doing just that.

A newly formed group at the college called Students for the Exploration and Development of Space launched their weather balloon from campus Saturday.

The balloon is expected to sail up to about a 100,000 feet. It is equipped with three HD cameras that will capture a full 360-degree panoramic video of the climb toward space as well as the freefall back to Earth.

The group calls the video unprecedented, as it will capture great detail of the black of space, the curvature of the Earth, and meteorological and terrain features. The club's founder said the mission of the weather balloon is really two-fold.

Orian Breaux, Students for the Exploration and Development of Space said, “We do think the appeal of space has fallen out of the public consciousness, and we see this project as an exciting opportunity to give younger people or reignite them with a passion for space."

Once the balloon pops, the cameras are expected to drop someplace in New Hampshire or Massachusetts.
A GPS system attached to the balloon will take the group to the camera's location.