Space is an incredibly hostile environment for any electronic device, and that includes the tough GoPro camera. That said, there have been a few occasions where GoPros have been taken into space, both by professional astronauts and amateurs. In every case, the footage that has come back has been absolutely amazing. So, how can a GoPro be taken into space?
GoPros are not built to withstand the vacuum of space. If you sent one into space without protection, it would almost certainly be destroyed. However, if you put the GoPro inside protective casing, it stands a much better chance. Astronauts and hobbyists have successfully used GoPros in space.
There are a few important things that you need to take into account when sending a GoPro into space. Let’s take a look at the various factors at play and how to protect your GoPro as it travels into the great beyond.
Does GoPro Work in Space?
GoPro cameras do work in space. In fact, they’ve been used by astronauts on the International Space Station, and they’ve been attached to weather balloons sent up into the sky by photography hobbyists and curious scientists to capture some incredible images and videos from the edges of space.
While GoPros are built to withstand some pretty extreme conditions, there are a few things you need to keep in mind if you want to use one in space.
First, the GoPro’s sensor is only designed to work in a vacuum for short periods. So, if you’re planning on using your GoPro in space for an extended period, you’ll need to ensure that the camera is sealed correctly and that there isn’t any air leaking into the housing.
Otherwise, the sensor will overheat and eventually shut down.
Second, because there is no atmosphere in space, there is also no air pressure. This means that sound doesn’t travel, so your GoPro will be silent. You can still capture audio with the microphone, but it will be recorded internally rather than being picked up by the camera.
Finally, because there is no atmosphere in space, there’s also no gravity. This means that your GoPro will float — unless it’s properly secured. You’ll need to use some sort of mounting system to keep the camera in place, and you’ll need to be careful not to lose it!
Overall, using a GoPro in space is possible, but it does require a bit of preparation.
Does NASA Use GoPro?
NASA uses GoPro cameras, but they’re not the primary cameras used for space missions. The main reason is that GoPro cameras are not designed to work in the vacuum of space for extended periods.
There are also more capable and sophisticated cameras that are better suited for space photography and videography. However, GoPro cameras do have their place in the world of space exploration.
Despite their drawbacks, GoPros are convenient for use up in space because they’re small, lightweight, and durable.
They can record high-quality video and images, which is important for documenting spacewalks and other activities on the International Space Station. While astronauts commonly use GoPro cameras during spacewalks, they’re also used for various other tasks.
For example, they’ve been used to inspect the exterior of the spacecraft, document experiments being conducted inside the station, and even capture beautiful time-lapse footage of Earth from orbit.
How to Send a GoPro Into Space
Sending a GoPro to space is more complicated than just attaching it to a balloon and sending it on its way. There are a few things you need to take into consideration, such as the camera’s sensor, the lack of air pressure and gravity in space, and the extremely low temperatures.
The camera’s sensor is the most important factor to consider when sending a GoPro to space. The sensor is what allows the camera to take pictures and videos.
Without a sensor, the GoPro would be useless in space. The second factor to consider is the lack of air pressure and gravity in space, which can cause the GoPro to easily float away or become damaged.
The third factor to consider is extremely low temperatures in space. This can cause the GoPro’s battery to die quickly, so you’ll need to ensure the camera is well insulated.
Now that you know what factors to consider when sending a GoPro to space, you need to protect the camera. The best way to do this is to put the GoPro in a weatherproof case (on Amazon). Doing so will protect the camera from the elements and keep it safe.
You can also use a tether to secure the GoPro to the balloon so it doesn’t float away.
Launching the GoPro
To launch your GoPro, you need a special balloon to survive space, a well-insulated case to secure the GoPro, a GPS tracker, a helium tank, and a parachute to land back on Earth.
- Fill the balloon with helium using the tank.
- Attach the GoPro to the balloon using the weatherproof case.
- Attach the GPS tracker to the GoPro.
- Launch the balloon into space.
- The balloon will expand as it rises, and the GoPro will detach from the balloon when it reaches its maximum altitude.
- The GoPro will free-fall back to Earth, and the parachute will deploy to slow its descent.
- The GPS tracker will track the GoPro’s location so you can find it after it lands.
Recovering the GoPro
- Use the GPS tracker to find the GoPro’s location.
- Recover the GoPro from its landing spot.
- Inspect the camera for damage and ensure all of your footage is intact.