Update: Today's (Wednesday April 9) launch attempt has been cancelled.

Original story:

NASA has scheduled a launch attempt of a super pressure balloon (SPB) test flight tomorrow morning (Wednesday April 9) from Wānaka Airport.

NASA will begin flight preparations in the early-morning hours and will continue to evaluate real-time and forecast weather conditions throughout the morning, a statement from Wānaka Airport said. 

If weather is favourable for launch, lift-off is scheduled between 9am and 1pm.

“Immediately after lift-off, the balloon will be visible for kilometres around,” a Wānaka Airport representative said. 

“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.”

NASA’s return to Wānaka this year marks the sixth SPB campaign held at Wānaka Airport since the agency began balloon operations there in 2015.

The NASA team returned for additional launch attempts in 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2023, all of which were successful apart from the 2022 launch.

The SPB campaigns are conducted in collaboration with the Queenstown Airport Corporation, Queenstown Lake District Council, New Zealand Space Agency, and Airways New Zealand.

Members of the public will not be able to access Wānaka Airport or park beside the airport to view the launch.

State Highway 6 Wānaka-Luggate Highway from Mt Barker to Church Road and State Highway 8A Shortcut Road will be closed for the launch. 

A live feed of the launch will be available here.

PHOTO: NASA