[marktwain]

Or he cannot simply launch a camera on a balloon?

Lots of people are doing that.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/how-to/a6568/how-to-launch-a-camera-into-space/

[Simon Green]

Or he cannot simply launch a camera on a balloon?

Since he's willing to settle for an altitude of only 1,800 feet, that's well within Estes model rocket territory. Just put a camera in the nose cone.