The Joy of Floating Random Things Up Into Space

A fun micro genre of YouTube videos has sprung up in the past couple of years as marketers and hobbyists alike explore the simple premise of attaching mundane objects to massive weather balloons and sending them up into the far reaches of the atmosphere. With a lightweight video camera along for the ride, the resulting videos include some stunning images of our blue planet. 


From Toshiba's "Space Chair" Commercial

We've compiled nine particularly entertaining examples, including snacks, toys, and of course, the first beer in space. It's worth noting that while the trend seems to have begun with Toshiba's elegant "Space Chair" commercial by Grey London, the ad was actually inspired by the artist Simon Faithfull's "Escape Vehicle No 6," a virtually identical project, down to the sound effects. Faithfull was not prominently credited in the Toshiba campaign, apparently, inspiring some controversy. In fact, one YouTube user created a side-by-side comparison to reveal the similarity. Big budget commercials aside, you have to hand it to the two 17-year-olds, Mathew Ho and Asad Muhammad, who send a LEGO figure an estimated 24 kilometers high. They did it for kicks, and spent only $400. All videos below...

Canadian LEGO Man in Space, Mathew Ho and Asad Muhammad

 Natty Light First Beer in Space, Danny B. and Rich T. with Natural Light




 Sticky Rice's Sushi in Space, Sticky Rice Restaurant




 Android in Spaaaaaace! Google Nexus




 Twinkie and Marshmallow, Geoff and Greg




 Miniature Sculpture, Project Horus



 
Toy Robot, James Trosh for Lucky Elephant




Toshiba Space Chair Project 

Commercial:




Behind-the-Scenes:




A Comparison of Simon Faithfull's "Escape Vehicle No 6" and Toshiba's "Space Chair"