That's the balloon in it's plastic bag. The plastic jug of water is to test for proper inflation of the balloon.

Components are laid out on a series of tables for assembly. It makes for easy assembly and keeps things up off the ground.

The main payload package and the ring which keeps the parachute shrouds from tangling during freefall.

The main payload module.

The video camera will dangle below the main payload module and be focused shyward. Hopefully it will tape the bursting of the balloon.

The audible beacon that will begin sounding once the payload hits the ground.

Students have placed items in this module as part of a scientific experiment. Contents include marshmallows, popcorn and I'm not sure what else!

Main payload module with some of the items labeled.

Middle school students helped in connecting and preparing the payload packages for launch. Notice all the 7th graders in the background.

Inflation of the balloon is starting. Six graders can be seen in the background to the left.

The balloon continues filling.

It's getting bigger and bigger!

...and bigger and bigger...

The wind was blowing at 10 to 15 miles per hour and controlling the balloon was difficult. Handlers wore rubber gloves to protect it.

...still getting bigger. When fully inflated it will be 10 feet in diameter.

It's almost ready to launch. The kids were yelling and cheering at this point.

In unison the kids yelled 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and away it went!

Up and up...

Off into the distance it went. Crew members jumped in their vehicles and the chase was on.

Sample screen capture of the balloon track from the APRS website showing flight details.

Another screen capture of the APRS site.

This was the last known point before APRS stopped reporting its location.

Last know location with an aerial photo view of the last location point.

Screen capture showing the complete flight of N5NTI's near space balloon.