January 8, 2008--It's a bird, it's a plane... it's a balloon. In December 2008, NASA and the National Science Foundation launched three new super-pressure balloons designed to carry scientific instruments to the edge of space.

The balloons, capable of reaching an altitude of 110,000 feet (33,528 meters), are made from a special lightweight polyethylene film that is the thickness of everyday plastic food wrap, but much more durable.

They can linger in the upper atmosphere for around 100 days, and are less expensive than sending up satellites for science experiments, according to NASA officials.

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