MIT students build outer space camera with $150

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - When you see the pictures, you'd think they were taken by a NASA satellite.

But these outer space pictures came from three Massachusetts Institute of Technology students, with $150, and a summer of free time.

The students used simple, every day items to build their own space camera.

The items included a $30 camera, a $49 GPS phone, a styro-foam beer cooler, hand warmers for the batteries, a balloon and a parachute.

They launched the contraption in Sturbridge two weeks ago. It rose 93,000 feet in about four hours, and took some incredible pictures.

If you are thinking about trying this, the Federal Aviation Administration has rules you need to follow.

The object must weight less than four pounds, it can't go in restricted airspace and it can't fall in a populated area.

Click here to see the photos.