Last week we brought you news that EA and BioWare would be sending copies of the pair’s Mass Effect 3 skyward using GPS-tracked weather balloons, giving you a chance to snag a free copy of the game once these balloons touch down in selected cities around the world.

Ladies and gentlemen, the launch has begun:

Mass Effect 3: Space Edition

You can track the progress of the weather balloon launches at the official website as they begin their journey starting in San Francisco today, February 23rd, before moving on to Las Vegas, New York, London, Paris and ending in Berlin on February 29th.

Here’s the skinny from BioWare:

“To celebrate Commander Shepard’s war to take Earth back, Mass Effect 3 will be the first console game launched into Earth’s upper atmosphere on a historic voyage. And you have a chance to take home a piece of that history.

“Starting February 23rd, various cities across the globe will host their very own Space Edition launches. Starting with San Francisco, CA and ending in Berlin, Germany.

“Track the packages on their flights and be the first to arrive at the landing zone to win an early copy of Mass Effect that has survived space travel. Each Space Edition also comes with a one-of-a-kind fan prize package.”

Hmm, it’ll be interesting to see what’s included in the “one-of-a-kind fan prize package…”