Cricket ball launched to the edge of space for first time

Video shows incredible view from the upper atmosphere

Friday 16 May 2014 10:57 BST

The cricket ball was attached to a helium balloon. (ECB)

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A cricket ball has been launched to the edge of space for the first time.

Footage shows the ball rising from Edgbaston Stadium, in Birmingham, through the clouds and to the upper reaches atmosphere while attached to a helium balloon.

It endured temperatures of -54C and reached a peak altitude of 110,000 feet - three times the cruising height of commercial aeroplanes - before plummeting back to Earth.

The official match ball hurtled back down at 500 mph but thanks to a parachute, it reached the ground safely and intact, landing in almost perfect condition in Newbury, Berkshire.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) worked with aeronautical engineers for the stunt to mark the start of the NatWest T20 Blast competition.

David Collier, chief executive of the ECB, said: “Ahead of the launch of the NatWest T20 Blast season, we wanted to do something that would reflect the competition’s exciting brand of cricket and vibrant in-ground atmosphere."

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Cricket ball launched to the edge of space for first time

Video shows incredible view from the upper atmosphere

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