Cameron M. Smith at home working on his DIY Spacesuit. Photo: Jos Mandojana

Taking a balloon up into the lower stratosphere may seem crazy, but to Cameron M. Smith its an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. The 45-year-old Portland State University anthropologist couldnt join NASAs aviation program because of his poor eyesight. Lacking the funds to buy a ticket on a private space flight, he decided to take matters into his own hands.

At 50,000 feet up, death is imminent, so the first thing to do was build a suit. Smith bought some of the parts off the Internet: a divers dry suit, a gauge that measures internal air pressure, and an aquarium pump to circulate cooling fluid. Ace Hardware had other bits like nylon straps, wire, and a slew of PVC fittings and valves. Its topped off with an authentic 1980s-era soviet fighter helmet.

Once the proof-of-concept suit is complete, Smith will test his rig in a hypobaric chamber, and if all goes well it will be rebuilt with sturdier elements. Then hell craft a nylon balloon, get a balloon pilots license, and clear his route with authorities. If they could do this in the 1930s with rubberized canvas and pigskin gloves, surely I can do it now with the technology available, Smith says. This is not so crazy. This is not so wild. Sure. Well just stay on the ground and watch from here, thanks.

This article was originally published August 17, 2012.

Video: Alexa Inkeles

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A DIY Space Suit for the 99 Percent