On Dec. 9, 2017, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched an array of cosmic ray sensors to the stratosphere onboard a giant helium balloon. This Northern Lights pendant went along for the ride. The payload flew 33.5 km (109,908 feet) above the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California. During the 2.5 hour flight, the pendant experienced temperatures as low as -61 C and air pressures barely 0.1% of sea level. According to the radiation sensors, cosmic ray levels were 100 times Earth-normal as the pendant reached the top of our planet’s atmosphere and touched the edge of space. After the balloon exploded (as planned), the payload parachuted back to Earth, landing in the Buttermilks–a popular climbing area near Bishop, CA.
 
Each piece of space jewelry comes with a greeting card showing the pendant in flight and telling the story of its journey to the stratosphere and back again.