Spanish Teens + $82 Balloon = Stunning Space Pics

A group of Spanish high-school students has successfully sent a balloon and camera package 20 miles above the surface of the Earth, scoring stunning pictures of space, the Telegraph reports—and on a budget of about $82. “We were overwhelmed at our results, especially the photographs,” the team’s 18-year-old leader said. “To send our handmade craft to the edge of space is incredible.”

“We took readings as the balloon rose and mapped its progress using Google Earth,” the leader continued. “At over 100,000 ft the balloon lost its inflation and the equipment was returned to the earth. We traveled 6 miles to find the sensors and photographic card, which was still emitting its signal, even though it had been exposed to the most extreme conditions.” (More Spain stories.)