NASA says it is planning two super pressure balloon (SPB) launches from Wānaka Airport in 2023.

The organisation last visited Wānaka for an SPB launch in May 2022 but, after a series of postponements due to weather, a promising last attempt failed due to technical issues.

“We accomplished a lot during this campaign in further establishing our presence in Wānaka for future operations,” NASA Balloon Program Office chief Debbie Fairbrother said at the time. 

“I’m one to take the long view on things and I’m super optimistic for the way ahead—I’m looking forward to our return to Wānaka and hopefully with fewer challenges than what we had this year.”

NASA has not yet announced the opening of the SPB launch window for the 2023 campaign.

A launch requires precise weather and wind conditions. 

Once the launch window opens, NASA said it will announce by 2pm if the next day’s forecast weather will support a launch attempt.

Residents will be able to track the launches online at the live feed and track the progress of the flight, which includes a map showing the balloon’s real-time location, here.

A successful SPB launch in 2015 at Wānaka Airport was New Zealand’s first scientific SPB launch.

Wānaka has since become NASA’s dedicated launch site for mid-latitude, long-duration balloon missions.

NASA conducts SPB launches from New Zealand in collaboration with the Queenstown Airport Corporation, Queenstown Lakes District Council, New Zealand Space Agency, and Airways New Zealand.

PHOTO: NASA