MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Engineering students from the University of Minnesota will get some help from a former astronaut when they launch a baseball into the stratosphere from Target Field this weekend.

The students will launch a weather balloon into near-space before Sunday's Minnesota Twins game against the Chicago White Sox.

The balloon will carry a game ball signed by Twins sluggers Josh Willingham and Justin Morneau. The balloon also will carry a GPS tracking system so students can find it when it comes down later that day.

Former astronaut and Minneapolis native Bob Cabana will be on hand for the launch. Cabana currently serves as director of NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center.

The launch is to celebrate Aerospace and Aviation Week.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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