NASA schedules attempt to launch second super pressure balloon

ASA schedules attempt to launch second super pressure balloon

NASA has scheduled a launch attempt of a super pressure balloon test flight from Wānaka Airport tomorrow [Friday, 2 May 2025 NZ time]. 

This is the sixth super-pressure balloon campaign held in New Zealand since 2015. NASA successfully launched one balloon in April, and this is the first scheduled launch attempt for the second and final balloon of the 2025 campaign. 

NASA will begin flight preparations in the early-morning hours tomorrow and will continue to evaluate real-time and forecast weather conditions for both surface and low-level winds throughout the morning. If weather is favourable for a launch, lift-off is scheduled between 9.00am and 1.00pm local time.
 
Restricted entry and road closures

Wānaka Airport will be closed to the public and aircraft, and roadside parking beside the airport is not permitted on the morning of a launch attempt. 

State Highway 6 Wanaka-Luggate Highway from Mt Barker to Church Road and State Highway 8A Shortcut Road may be closed for the launch. Light vehicles may detour via Camp Hill Road. Heavy vehicles will detour via Cemetery Road. A message board will be installed on State Highway 84 notifying of motorists of the closure status

Viewing points

Immediately after lift-off, the balloon will be visible for kilometres around – the best viewing points will be on the hill on the Hāwea side of the Red Bridge by Kane Road or on the Hāwea Flat side of the Clutha River.
 
Updates on the balloon launch 
•    A live feed of the launch will available here: https://video.ibm.com/channel/nasa-csbf-ldsd.
•    For launch updates, follow Wānaka Airport's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WanakaAirport
•    Track the progress of the flight at the following link, which includes a map showing the balloon’s real-time location: http://www.csbf.nasa.gov/newzealand/wanaka.htm. You can also see the path of the first balloon at this link.
•    Campaign updates will be available on NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility blog at: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/wallops/
•    For more information on NASA’s 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign, click here.