Lymington, Hampshire – School pupils are searching for a teddy bear launched into the upper atmosphere for a science experiment after it separated from its weather balloon and disappeared.

Bradfield Bear was sent up from Lymington two weeks ago by Year 7 and 8 students at Walhampton School, working with the Southampton University Spaceflight Society.

The small bear, along with the university team’s toy badger Bill, rose above the clouds and reached the stratosphere before Bradfield Bear broke away from the balloon. It is believed the bear landed somewhere near Henley on Thames or Reading.

The weather balloon and the toy badger were later recovered safely in a field near High Wycombe.

Ellie Robinson, a science teacher at the school near the New Forest, said the bear did “amazingly” to reach 27km (16.7 miles) above the Earth.

“I am sure he is fine as we have reassured the children he is very brave and resourceful,” she said. She added that the smart looking bear, wearing a checked shirt, navy shorts and matching bow tie, “may have gone towards Henley”.

Tracking data now suggests Bradfield Bear is between Earley near Reading and Fawley near Henley.

Anyone who has seen the small brown “space adventurer” is urged to contact the school.

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