A telescope dropped dark matter data from the edge of space. Here’s why

This is the story of dark matter, a balloon telescope, chicken roasting bags and a cougar

NASA's SuperBIT balloon telescope inflating

A NASA super pressure balloon inflates with helium at the Wānaka airport in New Zealand. The balloon carried a telescope for detecting dark matter around the world almost six times in 40 days.

Bill Rodman, NASA

Doomsday came on May 25 for the payload of a pumpkin-shaped balloon at the edge of space.