Stuffed animal missing after being launched into space by U.K. students

April 08: A stuffed toy dog in England has gone missing after being launched into the edge of space as part of a school science experiment.

Students at Morecambe Bay Community Primary School launched a plush toy named “Sam the dog” into space along with a GoPro and GPS tracking devices using helium balloons on Tuesday.

The balloons carried the stuffed animal and the equipment into space before falling back to earth.

Both the camera and the tracking equipment were found in a field near Burnley after landing safely back on earth, but the the plush toy was nowhere to be found after it seemingly became detached during re-entry.

“Sam the Dog is still missing in action,” a post on English Lakes YouTube account stated. “According to the flight data, it is thought that he returned to earth within a 40-50 mile radius of the landing site.”

The Morecambe Bay Community Primary School students are hopeful to get Sam the dog back and are getting some help from English Lakes Hotels Resorts & Venues in searching for leads.

The hotel company is also offering a free stay at the Four star Midland hotel where the launch took place for anyone able to find the plush. UPI.com