Launch of the Gibas III

Amy Gibas, kneeling, and crew start to inflate the balloon with helium. It is to carry a 1.2-pound payload comprising a GoPro camera, a GPS tracker, and an audible beacon to aid in recovery.

Crew and well wishers recorded the launch.

Soon the balloon was THIS BIG!

The payload is tied to the balloon.

Checking to make sure everything is turned on.

The payload comprised an audible beacon at left, a GPS tracking device designed to help find the payload when and where it ultimately came down, center, and a GoPro camera to see the sights from the balloon's altitude.

Almost ready for launch. The orange item is the parachute that it was hoped would save the payload once the balloon popped. Note the crewman's emergency slingshot -- for use, for instance, if it took off before the instruments were turned on, making recovery nearly impossible.

Final check before countdown.

And it's off! The balloon went almost straight up on the windless day, but did find a breeze a thousand feet up or so, and headed almost due south.