Sicily Launches Cannolo Into Space

Unfortunately, Sicily is easily one of Italy’s poorest regions today. High unemployment and organized crime have led to strict spending restrictions against the city from Rome. A team of scientists recently used a mere 350 euros to launch a model cannolo into the stratosphere. While Sicily can’t launch rockets into orbit, this dessert stunt was undoubtedly noteworthy. By using basic materials, the “Cannolo Transporter” rose to 29,000 meters above the planet before descending down.

Relatively crude materials were used to construct the “Cannolo Transporter”. This includes a helium balloon and a model cannolo. Likely, a real cannolo would have broken apart during its ascent. An insulated ice cream box, two cameras, and a GPS unit finished off the craft. All of these materials cost less then 350 euros, the alloted budget for the project. Also, a parachute system was implemented to retrieve the craft after it fell to Earth.

The balloon eventually expanded due to a decrease in pressure. From there, it popped and caused the transporter to descend back in the direction it came. Sicily’s “Cannolo Transporter” actually landed decently close to its initial launch point. A team of scientists then retrieved the transporter, which was safe thanks to the parachute. At that point, scientists took the images off the two cameras and posted them online for al to view at their leisure.

Without a doubt, the “Cannolo Transporter” was never meant to be a serious space project. The engineers took the project seriously, but everyone knew they were launching a fake dessert into space. Such a project still shows the ingenuity of amateur scientists in an impoverished city. Hopefully, Rome’s efforts to improve the island of Sicily will pay off in the near future. Sicily’s space program probably won’t embark upon more ambitious projects in the near future, though.

Source:
Pastry launch into space? Holy cannolo, these scientists say!
http://www.india.com/whatever/pastry-launch-into-space-holy-cannolo-these-scientists-say-20873/