ET) if the next day’s forecast weather will support a launch attempt.

For today’s attempt the wind conditions would have taken the balloon on an unacceptable flight trajectory. WANAKA, New Zealand – NASA postponed the scheduled launch of its super pressure balloon (SPB) from Wanaka, New Zealand, Thursday, May 12 (Wednesday, May 11 in the United States) due to unacceptable stratospheric weather conditions for operations.Īlong with monitoring ground and lower-level winds (up to 300 meters) on launch day, stratospheric wind conditions at 33.5 km (110,000 feet), which is where the balloon will float, also need to set-up favorably to support a launch attempt. Track the progress of the flight at the following link, which includes a map showing the balloon’s real-time location, at: In addition, the launch can be tracked in the following ways:Ī live feed of the launch is available here: However, immediately after lift-off, the balloon will be visible for miles around – the best viewing points will be on the hill on the Hawea side of the Red Bridge by Kane Road or on the Hawea Flat side of the Clutha River. The first attempt was canceled due to unacceptable low-level winds and the second attempt due to unacceptable stratospheric wind conditions.įor those in the local area, the public won’t be allowed at Wanaka Airport on the morning of the launch attempt or to park alongside the airport. This is the third scheduled launch attempt for NASA’s 2022 Wanaka Balloon Campaign. EDT Thursday, May 12).Īt this time, forecast weather conditions and predicted flight trajectories are considered marginal for launch. If weather is conducive for launch, lift-off is scheduled between 8 and 11:30 a.m. NASA will begin flight preparations in the early morning hours Friday and will continue to evaluate real-time and forecast weather conditions throughout the morning. WANAKA, New Zealand-NASA is targeting Friday, May 13 (Thursday, May 12 in the United States), to conduct a super pressure balloon (SPB) test flight launching from Wanaka Airport, New Zealand, on a potential 100-day journey.

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