Abstract
This paper describes the implementation of a helium
gas balloon flying system equipped with a camera and tracking
subsystem for aerial photography. This is partially the results
of a successful project conducted in November 2012 by a group
of electrical and electronic students from the University of
Johannesburg. The goal of this project was to take aerial
pictures at the highest possible altitude above the sea level
from the flying system while tracking its position in real-time.
The solution proposed was based on a low cost unmanned
system for a reliable and optimal aerial observation and
tracking, suitable for start-ups companies or research groups.