Watch live here.

NASA postponed the scheduled launch of its super pressure balloon (SPB) from Wānaka yesterday (Thursday May 26) and its final launch attempt for the 2022 Wānaka Campaign will take place this morning (Friday May 27).

If NASA is unable to launch the SPB this morning, the team will finish its local campaign in order to meet the mission needs of other planned campaigns in Sweden and the United States. 

“We’re hopeful that everything will align for this final attempt,” NASA’s Balloon Programme Office chief Debbie Fairbrother said.

Yesterday’s launch attempt was cancelled due to unacceptable wind conditions. 

Surface and upper-level winds were over 10 knots, well over the limits required for a safe launch, Debbie said.

NASA has begun flight preparations this morning.

If weather and the predicted launch trajectory are conducive for launch, lift-off is scheduled between 8am and 11:30am.

The public won’t be allowed at Wānaka Airport this morning or to park alongside the airport. 

However, immediately after lift-off, the balloon will be visible for miles 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.

In addition, NASA’s final launch attempt can be tracked in the following ways:

A live feed of the launch is available here.

Track the progress of the flight at the following link, which includes a map showing the balloon’s real-time location here.

PHOTO: Supplied