Houston, We Have A Report Up In Space

Twenty percent of Americans rated “being the first to do something” as the reason to keep exploring unknown frontiers in space, we found in our research on the topic for our upcoming Culture Forecast, Space: Exploration Innovation Brought Down To Earth. As we planned the launch of our report, we thought, why not go where we’ve never been before — into the stratosphere?

And so it was on a warm September Sunday in field outside of Garrison, New York, sparks & honey launched a balloon into space — and back.

DIY: the making of space

But first, our team had their hands full of figuring out the nuances of a space launch. We ordered the balloon launch kit which contained specifics like an extra large balloon, a satellite locator, a parachute, a radar reflector, and a GSM locator — so we could both track and find it post-launch.

The unexpected components of space prep required more than your average day’s work. “You learn a lot from launching stuff into space,” said senior designer Purva Michaels, “Like how far you have to be from any airports.” That is, at least seven miles.

Planned for optimal weather conditions on a Sunday, the launch required some specific logistics, and balmy skies was the least of them. Getting a helium tank delivered to upstate New York on a Sunday require many phone calls.

“We had to get an XL tank that housed at least 154.32 cubic feet (4.3 cubic meters) of helium,” said Courtney Emery, who helped coordinate the launch.

On the ground, our illustrator Mo Nadeemuddin had the task of maneuvering an IKEA Frakta bag into the base for our launch pad. He stenciled the sparks & honey logo onto cardboard, cut it out and spray-painted s&h in the right shade of hot pink, or hex value #e51d9b.

“‘I sent something to space — that’s something I’d tell my grandchildren, but everyone will probably be living in space by then,” Mo said.

The team also sourced a square foam box — resembling a cooler you might carry for a picnic — and created compartments in it to house the two GPS’s, the black box, and Go Pro camera. And of course, a miniature version of our Space Culture Forecast. Then, it was go-time.

From 90,000 feet to an upstate backyard garden

The “space box” was so sensitive to movement that it had to be transported upstate to Garrison, New York, to our CEO Terry Young’s house, with the utmost care. It was, after all, precious cargo.

The extended sparks & honey team gathered, kids in tow, to assemble the parachute, fill the helium balloon and watch it soar into the sky. The weather had been touch and go, but the team waved happily as the balloon took off to 90,000 feet.

On the ground, cultural strategist Eve Pollet and creative director Eric Lau waited with bated breath for news from above. The team enjoyed a barbeque in the meanwhile, while one hour turned into three.

Then, a fateful phone call. The sparks & honey space balloon had landed — into the back garden of a local family’s yard, a 30-minute drive away. We had all signed the box, and left a note in with a phone number. With a welcome from the family, they set off to retrieve our flying space box.

Things to think when launching a space box

Sending a balloon into the stratosphere was an experiment, and with all of the unknowns, we were lucky to get it back after its long journey. For anyone thinking of a conducting a similar test, we have a few considerations:

• Get a weather app. Check it obsessively, preferably by the hour. Consider wind and precipitation conditions, and be prepared for a plan b to launch.
• Turn the camera on before launch — but only last minute. You don’t want the battery to drain before take off.
• Make sure your space box is sturdy enough to withstand the ascent. It’s cold and windy up there.
• Note to the FAA, make sure the space box pay load (i.e. weight) is under six pounds = within regulation.
• Think about who might find your space box, and if you’re lucky enough, how you are going to retrieve it.
• Considering the unknown elements — where it might land and who might get it — think carefully about your ‘message in a bottle’ message. Relay a curious and thoughtful message, and don’t scare anyone off if a flying box lands into their sphere.

Read about how space is your future business in our new Culture Forecast report, Space: Exploration Innovation Brought Down To Earth — launching October 18th.