Gallery: City Soar I

The payload, seen prior to final preparation. The i290 is already fixed to the wall at the left of the photo, the SPOT GPS hangs in the middle, and the SD800 and heating packs have yet to be installed. The GoPro HD Hero is fixed outside the capsule.

The mounting design for the GoPro HD Hero is somewhat complex, with the camera effectively placed outside the capsule. This approach is made necessary by the camera's extremely wide field of view and shallow lens.

Daniel, Jeff and Kevin begin filling the balloon.

While the balloon slowly inflates, David begins to closeout the capsule.

Chris snaps a photo of Daniel and Kevin filling the balloon, while Daniel holds the balloon steady as it begins to rise.

Filling is completed and the balloon is lifted up. Meanwhile, final preparations continue with the capsule.

Finally, the lid goes on and is sealed with duct tape. For this launch, a fin has been added in the hope of stabilizing the capsule's flight.

With the capsule ready, its time to move to the center of the cul-de-sac. The balloon is turned over before letting the line out.

One last check is made to ensure the cameras are running.

The balloon is released. This still frame from the GoPro shows everyone that was present for the launch.

A parting shot of the capsule. Shortly after this photo was taken, the fin fell over sideways and caused the capsule to spin faster than any of our previous launches. With this occurring mere moments after launch, the team was left with poor expectations for the mission's success.

Brennan, Jeff and Kurt discuss the launch.

Despite the rapid spin rate, the still camera managed to capture numerous usable images of San Antonio. Seen here is Camp Bullis, just East of the launch site.

Overlooking subdivisions in the Stone Oak area.

This shot captures the active quarries behind The Rim and the subdivisions lining Loop 1604 (top).

Another shot of Loop 1604. San Antonio International Airport is just in view (left).

Hills at the edge of the Texas Hill Country.

This shot overlooks the stretch of Loop 1604 East of I-10. The Sonterra Golf Course can be seen, left of center.

San Antonio International Airport comes into view (right).

Randolph Air Force Base comes into view next.

This frame from the GoPro shows that the capsule's spin caused the balloon line to fail, ending the ascent early. Normally the ascent proceeds until the balloon bursts.

Another frame from the GoPro as descent continues. Due to the rate of spin, stills from the SD800 have become unusable at this point in the flight. The capsule's landing site can be seen here.

Crash sequence: These frames from the GoPro demonstrate how the capsule struck the ground and rolled, breaking the wing in the process. Luckily, none of the payload was damaged.

The capsule landed on a ranch, as these things often tend to go in South-Central Texas. Just as with previous recoveries, the ranch's owner was very helpful and drove us out to the capsule's location.

The capsule where it came to rest.

Daniel holds the capsule and parachute as the team is driven back out by the ranch's owner.

Daniel (center) carries the capsule back to the truck while Jeff, David and Brennan examine the broken fin (left).

Daniel, Katie and David review photos from the flight during the drive back.