On Jan. 26, 2019, the students of Earth to Sky Calculus launched an array of cosmic ray sensors to the stratosphere onboard a giant helium balloon. This heart-shaped pendant went along for the ride, ascending 101,908 feet above the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains of central California.
 
During the 2.5 hour flight, the rose quartz pendant experienced temperatures as low as -59 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 on the verge of historic Owen's Lake, south of Lone Pine, California.
 
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.