Beautifully, Gorgeously.

Impressive.

Totally awesome !

yes grand canyon my dream to visit u 

wow. this is a very interesting, absolutely fascinating part of photography! i wish i could see the fabulous grand canon one time!

very informative video and also amazing

Wow! i salute the people who made an effort of getting videos from the space...very nice...it pictures of how beautiful the earth is...a place to live with and a place of taking care of it...

Marvelous!

How cool is that! Sure do love the Grand Canyon, I have hiked the Bright Angel Trail from the South Rim to the Colorado River and back out. These shots from near space are special. 

great work! 

tremendous

Photography at a whole new level!!

this is beautiful! I just wonder... what happens if the ballon hits an airplane or hurts someone in the way down?... are there any coordination measures with the air traffic control and security forces on the ground to ensure safety? this is not pure criticism, I really want to know, being a commercial pilot myself this things make me uncomfortable, I like to know if safety issues are take in consideration... if they are, then it's a great idea and opportunity to make really nice shots :)

The simple things in life are the best......   congrats  JJ   (Y)

Beautiful!

Those images were stunning! 

@Bruno Loureiro   Point well taken!  Thank goodness no one was injured by the thing plummeting to earth either.

@Bruno Loureiro  At a quick glance of FAA regulation; I don't think it's something I'd mess with. http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/uham/part101.html. The video doesn't say what he did or didn't do with ATC/FAA... but viewers be warned. Follow the law.

101.33 Operating limitations.

No person may operate an unmanned free balloon- (a) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, in a control zone below 2,000 feet above the surface, or in an airport traffic area; (b) At any altitude where there are clouds or obscuring phenomena of more than five-tenths coverage; (c) At any altitude below 60,000 feet standard pressure altitude where the horizontal visibility is less than five miles; (d) During the first 1,000 feet of ascent, over a congested area of a city, town, or settlement or an open-air assembly of persons not associated with the operation; or (e) In such a manner that impact of the balloon, or part thereof including its payload, with the surface creates a hazard to persons or property not associated with the operation.

101.37 Notice requirements. (a) Prelaunch notice : Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, no person may operate an unmanned free balloon unless, within 6 to 24 hours before beginning the operation, he gives the following information to the FAA ATC facility that is nearest to the place of intended operation: (1) The balloon identification. (2) The estimated date and time of launching, amended as necessary to remain within plus or minus 30 minutes. (3) The location of the launching site. (4) The cruising altitude.

Also; 101.7 Hazardous operations. (a) No person may operate any moored balloon, kite, unmanned rocket, or unmanned free balloon in a manner that creates a hazard to other persons, or their property. (b) No person operating any moored balloon, kite, unmanned rocket, or unmanned free balloon may allow an object to be dropped therefrom, if such action creates a hazard to other persons or their property.

@Jonathan Deitch @Bruno Loureiro  You are right that people should follow the law but it seemed there was an inference that he did not.
Other than the unknown issue of pre-launch notification, I can not see where his actions violate any of the provisions you describe.
101.33 (a) He was not in a controlled area or near an airport.
101.33 (b and c) It appeared to be a clear day.
101.33 (d) He was no where near a populated area.
101.33 (e) His package was clearly marked "not dangerous" and was encased in foam.
101.7 (a and b) He also did not "drop" the payload but rather allowed a balloon made for this function to fail at altitude which is the same as weathermen did for many years with their instruments.

Also note that the gold colored round object above the payload appears to be a radar reflector to ensure his balloon will cause a return target during accent and descent. 

@Robert Beckett @Jonathan Deitch @Bruno Loureiro  

This guy actually wrote the whole adventure up, pretty interesting stuff:

http://www.nearspaceballooning.com/launch-6/