I'm new to weather balloons. I'd like to launch one to about 500 feet to take aerial photos. What do I need?

Question

I'm curious about what size balloon (in diameter) and what volume of helium I'd need in it to carry about two pounds of equipment and a strong tether. The overall weight may be about 2.5 pounds, and consist of a digital camera, a radio control receiver, and the weight of whatever tether line is suitable to use out to about 500 feet.

Is it safe to use kite string? How strong does it have to be if there are 10-20mph gusts of wind? How much volume of helium should I order to fill a balloon enough to carry 2 or 3 pounds of load?

After reeling in the balloon, is there a method to reclaim/re-compress the helium?

This is for a Burning Man project, and I already have three unopened 7 foot diameter latex balloons.

Answer 1

there are ppl who do this all the time, and you should check with them. see, for example, http://academic.emporia.edu/aberjame/air...

check with the faa too, since they take an interest in things in the sky, even at 500 feet.

you cannot recover the helium without major effort.

you want to do some tests at home before heading in to the field.