High school students set record with stratospheric balloon launch and recovery (photo)

A team from the Astrogazers Club at the Croydon High School for Girls became the first U.K. school group to successfully launch and recover two weather balloons that reached high into Earth's atmosphere, a major achievement for STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) students in the country.

The Astrogazers Club, which included students aged 10 to 16, launched the two weather balloons from the campus of the University of Bath last month. It was their second try: The group's first attempt in late June encountered a technical failure, when high winds tore through ropes on the balloon.

Undeterred, the club's members worked over their summer break to prepare for the latest attempt, which saw the balloons rise to just above 32,000 feet (9,750 meters), well into the stratoshere. The balloons were equipped with sensors to record atmospheric data as well as a camera, which took a stunning photo of Earth from that lofty perch.

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