“Stanley” in Space – Dad And Son Send Toy Train Up in the Air

Ron Fugelseth and his son worked on a unique space project: Toy train “Stanley” goes up in the air. Therefore they created a box with an old cell phone and gps sensor on a waether balloon. The box was only 2 pounds and made of foam core, with a wooden dowel to hold Stanley in front of the HD camera. This video documents the journey from liftoff to landing. For safety reasons he called the FAA 15 minutes before launch (per their instructions) so they could make sure no planes fly into the flight path.

My 4 year old and Stanley are inseparable like Calvin and Hobbes. He’s been attached to him since he was two, and they play, sleep and do everything together. I animated Stanley’s face with After Effects and Photoshop to bring him to life how I imagine my son sees him.