The Science Life Space 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 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 Share this:EmailFacebookTwitterPinterestPocketRedditPrint By Nikk Ogasa December 5, 2023 at 7:00 am Doomsday came on May 25 for the payload of a pumpkin-shaped balloon at the edge of space.