Pegasus 1 is a homemade high altitude balloon project that managed to reach over 66k ft and travel 63 miles before being retrieved. The payload included a tiny linux computer, an old Nokia phone, a GPS receiver and two digi-cams. The linux box (a Gumstix) was programed to take snapshots with the cameras every thirty seconds after take off. The GPS receiver logged the current location of the balloon and even sent the GPS coordinates back to the ground via SMS through the Nokia to aid in recovery. Very clever. I need to get one of those Gumstix for sure.

Link via hack a day.