The super-pressure balloon lifted off from Wānaka Airport and will now spend 100 days or more flying around the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-latitudes, where it will measure neutral wind in the upper atmosphere.
The team behind the mission hope the findings will help scientists predict changes in the ionosphere, which can affect communication and navigation systems.
Gabriel Garde, the chief of NASA’s Balloon Program Office, said the launch was the culmination of years of dedicated efforts.
“From the flawless launch operations to the science data potential and the game-changing operational profile of the super-pressure balloon platform, the NASA Balloon Program is as strong as ever.”
NASA’s super-pressure balloons are shaped like pumpkins and are designed to travel ultra-long distances.
Because they’re completely sealed, with no open ducts, gas can’t escape, meaning pressure builds up as the gas expands. It’s this innovation that allows them to fly for far longer than traditional hot air balloons.
The latest balloon, for example, measures 18.8 million cubic feet and will reach an operational float altitude of about 110,000 feet (33.5 km) above Earth’s surface – roughly three times as high as a commercial airliner.
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“While the mission will spend most of its time over water during its around-the-world journey, some land crossings will occur,” said NASA.
“If weather permits, the balloon may be visible from the ground, particularly at sunrise and sunset. NASA invites the public to track the balloon’s path in real-time here.”
Onboard the balloon is a ‘High-altitude Interferometer Wind Observation’ payload that will measure neutral wind in a part of Earth’s atmosphere called the thermosphere.
This is the sixth super-pressure balloon campaign held in New Zealand since 2015, with two balloons successfully launched from Wānaka during NASA’s last visit in 2023. This year, NASA is planning two test flights.
“I cannot say enough about the tireless support and graciousness of our hosts and partners in New Zealand,” said Garde.
“We understand the impacts on the community, and we are exceptionally appreciative of their partnership. It is truly an international effort, and I look forward to a very long and rewarding flight.”
Space Connect reported on the progress of the previous two flights in 2023, one of which carried a telescope from Princeton University that used a wide field of view to image large galaxy clusters.
Adam Thorn
Adam is a journalist who has worked for more than 40 prestigious media brands in the UK and Australia. Since 2005, his varied career has included stints as a reporter, copy editor, feature writer and editor for publications as diverse as Fleet Street newspaper The Sunday Times, fashion bible Jones, media and marketing website Mumbrella as well as lifestyle magazines such as GQ, Woman’s Weekly, Men’s Health and Loaded. He joined Momentum Media in early 2020 and currently writes for Australian Aviation and World of Aviation.
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