Japanese scientists are preparing to launch a high-tech ‘paper plane’ from 250 miles above the Earth.

During tests, the planes, designed by the Japan Origami Airplane Association, and made from heat-resistant paper treated with silicon, survived temperatures of 250 degrees Celsius and winds of Mach 7, as part of a 30-second flight inside a hypersonic wind tunnel.

Following the tests, aeronautical engineers from Tokyo University are confident that the planes will be able to survive the fiery descent back to Earth when they are released by an astronaut on the International Space Station later this year.

Speaking to Reuters, Professor Shinji Suzuki, who heads the team of scientists involved in the project, explained: “Paper planes are extremely light so they slow down when the air is thin and can gradually descend.”

The engineers believe the technology could one day be adapted for use in unmanned spacecraft, however, for now, they would be happy to set a new world record for the longest flight by a paper plane, and to encourage children to take an interest in science.

While the 100 or so planes stand only a slim chance of striking land when they begin their journey in November, they will carry messages written in several languages and should anyone be lucky enough to find one, it is requested they send them back to Japan.