NASA Schedules Another Super Pressure Balloon Launch Attempt

NASA will attempt to launch a super pressure balloon from Wānaka Airport tomorrow, [Sunday, 13 April 2025 NZ time] subject to favourable weather.

This is the sixth super-pressure balloon campaign held in New Zealand since 2015; two balloons were successfully launched from Wānaka during NASA’s last visit in 2023.

This year, NASA is planning two test flights. Two balloon launch attempts were cancelled last week.

NASA will begin flight preparations in the early-morning hours tomorrow and will continue to evaluate real-time and forecast weather conditions throughout the morning. If weather is favourable for 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 the launch attempt. 

State Highway 6 Wanaka-Luggate Highway from Mt Barker to Church Road and State Highway 8A Shortcut Road will 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 .
•    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.