<p><strong>The exhaust plume from the launch of the <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/shuttleoperations/orbiters/orbitersdis.html">space shuttle <em>Discovery</em></a> stretches into the stratosphere on February 24, as seen from a balloon lofted to the edge of space. Nicknamed Robonaut-1, the helium-filled balloon and its payload were built and deployed with student assistance. </strong></p><p>The mission goals for Robonaut-1 were to fly an experiment built in part using suggestions from high schoolers, to bring them the results—and to "make flight history by capturing <em>Discovery</em> transiting the stratosphere," Bobby Russell said via email. Russel is CEO of the California-based <a href="http://questforstars.com/">Quest for Stars</a>, which organized the project with the Virginia-based <a href="http://www.challenger.org/">Challenger Center for Space Science Education</a>. Both nonprofit organizations aim to get schoolchildren interested in careers in science, math, and engineering.</p><p>Armed with several digital cameras, HD video cameras, three cell phones, and a commercial GPS unit, Robonaut-1 was launched from Chiefland, <a href="http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/united-states/florida-guide/">Florida</a>, at 3:50 p.m. ET—about an hour before the <a href="http://science.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/space-exploration/space-shuttle-program.html">space shuttle</a>'s slated liftoff.</p><p>According to the Challenger Center, the balloon rose to just over 20.8 miles (33.5 kilometers) before popping, leaving the payload to parachute back to Earth.</p><p>(See more <a href="http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/news/breakingorbit/2011/02/was-that-america-the-shuttle-d.html">pictures of the space shuttle <em>Discovery</em>'s launch</a>, snapped from a public viewing point in Florida.)</p>