here's a summary of the FAA/FCC rules about weather balloons in case anybody is curious: 
(from: http://www.stratostar.net/faq/#faq1 )
In the United States, there are two sets of regulations governing launching and tracking high-altitude weather balloons. One is from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the other is from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).  All of StratoStar's products are designed to meet the United States Regulations, and we explore these regulations in detail during training. Here's a quick summary of each regulation that applies to our flights:
1. Cell Phones are not permitted to track high-altitude weather balloons in flight.
2. Payloads cannot exceed a package weight/size ratio of three ounces per square inch. *
3. No payload package can exceed 6 lb in weight.
4. Entire weight of all payloads cannot exceed 12 lb in total weight (Excludes weight of balloon).
5. No rope or cable should be used which requires more than 50lb of force to separate payload packages from balloon
6. No one may launch a high-altitude weather balloon which creates a hazard to other people and property. (i.e. Incorrect parachute, faulty rigging, inappropriate launch location)
7. No one may use a high-altitude weather balloon to drop objects (i.e. gliders and projectiles).
* Determined by dividing total package weight by the area in square inches of the smallest surface.

lauren b. allen
u of pittsburgh ctr for learning in out of school environments

On Feb 11, 2013, at 6:02 PM, Randy Little <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Glenn I wish the article has talked about getting FAA permission to do this.  Its very very dangerous to just launch things from anywhere and the article doesn't talk about the safety measures taken.  It would be a shame for someone to do this and not have permission and have the FAA show up at their door or worse, bring down a commercial aircraft.   



On Mon, Feb 11, 2013 at 2:50 PM, Glenn A. Walsh <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Lauren Rojas of Antioch, California, sent her Hello Kitty doll more than 90,000 feet into space for a science project. Footage of the doll’s journey to the final frontier is catching quite an audience.

http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/2013/02/video-girl-sends-hello-kitty-doll-into_11.html

gaw

Glenn A. Walsh, Project Director,
Friends of the Zeiss < http://friendsofthezeiss.org >
Electronic Mail - < [log in to unmask] >
SpaceWatchtower Blog: < http://spacewatchtower.blogspot.com/ >

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