Two Seattle girls (8 and 10) launched a balloon to the edge of space...

[PSPS]

(Last) Saturday, a handmade craft rose 78,000 feet to capture the view from the edge of space. The craft, built by two Seattle youngsters, reached speeds of over 100 km/h on its journey over central Washington.

Kimberly and Rebecca Yeung built their spacecraft out of wood and broken arrow shafts, but it flew twice as high as commercial aircraft usually travel. Attached to a weather balloon filled with helium was a flight computer tracking their craft, two GoPro cameras, and a picture of their cat next to a Lego R2-D2. Called the Loki Lego Launcher, the craft was named after that cat and the figurine.

The craft traveled the fastest right after the balloon popped at 78,000 feet, reaching 110 km/h, or nearly 70 MPH. It averaged about 35km/h (20 MPH) over its four hour and 20 minute journey.

More at: http://www.geekwire.com/2015/two-seattle-girls-launched-a-balloon-to-the-edge-of-space-this-weekend-and-have-the-video-to-prove-it/

[procon]

1. Smart girls!

They even write like scientists. Kudos to their parents and teachers for encouraging their inquisitive minds and instilling that unquenchable quest for knowledge and the eagerness to learn.

[Frustratedlady]

2. What am amazing story and video.

Kudos to the girls and their parents. I am truly impressed.

[MrMickeysMom]

3. Lesson Learned… "You don't want to rely on speculation…"

…"You want to depend on DATA and FACTS…"

Girls, I think this lesson is needed more than ever today… Let's start with these people who don't want to rely on anything outside their make belief speculation. They need to be introduced to

DATA…..


and


FACTS!

Yay!

[yuiyoshida]

4. Awesome Young ladies!!

Zhēn bàng niánqīng de nǚshìmen! 真棒年轻的女士们！

And their dad!

[Old Crow]

5. Omigosh. I think we may have identified the world's two most adorable children.

Great job, Mom and Dad. Loved the little post-launch dance.

[angryvet]

6. AMAZING

smart girls smart parents. We expect to see great things from these girls in the future. How much did this cost?

[DirkGently]

7. Excellent. n/t

[turbinetree]

8. I love anything related to aviation........................

balloons hence, by the call sign turbinetree.
These young woman, have a very bright future--------------------keep it up and keep us posted in your next venture--------you are awesome

[jtuck004]

9. "Fred, would you take over the controls? I swear I just saw a damn cat chasing a ball,

and being chased by R2D2, all out the port side window. I'm gonna take a break".

[2naSalit]

10. Cool Beans!! n/t

[Left Coast2020]

11. I almost cry after seeing vidoes like this.

I think the cat had something to do with it.

[diverdownjt]

12. can't wait for your next flight