PUPILS launched a special balloon 100,000 feet in the air hoping to reach space – but it got lost.

The two-metre-wide inflatable was supposed to soar three times as high as a passenger jet before using high-tech equipment to record its journey and capture scientific data.

The project was the result of ten months of hard work by pupils at Chatsmore High School in Worthing, who gathered on the school field to watch the launch on Friday.

They expected the balloon to land near Petworth approximately two and a half hours later with the aid of a bright red and yellow parachute.

But the children lost contact with it shortly afterwards – and are yet to find it five days later.

Science teacher Peter Clarke said the school had not given up hope of finding it.

He said: “At Chatsmore we try to instil in our students a growth mindset, encouraging risk-taking and moving on from setbacks with a positive attitude and a determination to succeed.

“We always knew that this was an ambitious project, and one that might possibly not succeed.

“However, we will learn from it and improve.

“We haven’t given up hope that someone will find the parachute.

“This is very much unfinished business.”

Chatsmore head boy Kieran Malandain said working on the project had been a “fantastic experience” – despite the balloon’s disappearance.

He said the children had enjoyed learning about real-life applications of different subjects they had studied at school.

The balloon was the first in the country fitted with a 360 degree, super high-definition video camera to record the entire flight.

It also contained a high resolution camera to capture still images.

And it was equipped with a long-range radio to transmit a live feed of images back to the school, as well as data about the temperature and pressure of the balloon.

The whole system was controlled using two special computers to navigate the route.

At the time of the launch – before the balloon went missing – an upbeat Mr Clarke said: “This has been an incredible project.

“It’s been a great opportunity for the students to use their scientific skills.

“Visiting the local primary schools to talk about the project has really got the younger children enthused about science.”

Organisers of the Petworth Fringe festival are offering six free tickets as a reward for finding the balloon.

Have you seen the balloon? Call the school on 01903 241 368.