This image sequence was captured at about 98,000 feet during the Aerospace Experimental Association’s Mission 3, a high-altitude balloon launch conducted in fall 2024 at Florida Atlantic University. It shows the precise instant when the balloon ruptured at the edge of space, marking the transition from ascent to descent. The photograph was taken by a GoPro mounted at the top of the payload, facing upward. The sequence captures the shadow of the balloon as it tears open on one side, releasing a wave of helium that compresses into a small glowing bubble before being pulled into the vacuum of near space. This mission tested a paraglider parachute system designed to autonomously guide research payloads safely back to a landing site. The photograph captures both the scientific value and natural beauty of this moment — when the balloon reaches its physical limit and the journey home begins.