Overview

• A Hale County family spotted a parachute-like object, recorded video, and notified the sheriff’s office, which said a search was underway for missing research equipment.
• A Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility team led by a member identified as Garrison located the SUV-sized payload in a farm field and secured the site.
• The device carried a UMass Lowell telescope intended to detect exoplanets and other faint celestial targets from near-space altitude.
• The flight launched Wednesday from Fort Sumner, New Mexico, hovered near Clovis and Portales, then drifted into Texas after a wind shift, according to officials.
• Officials have not determined why the balloon descended, with one report noting questions about monitoring capacity during the government shutdown.