Optimal location to launch balloon

Nasa aerospace engineer Chris Yoder and balloon programme chief Debora Fairbrother stand in front of the first balloon payload scheduled to be launched from Wānaka tomorrow. PHOTOS: RAWAN SAADI

Nasa is back for its sixth campaign in Wānaka.

After two balloons were successfully launched from the Wānaka Airport in 2023, Nasa announced it would be back this month to launch two more.

The plan was to launch the first of two balloons on Wednesday, but it was delayed until tomorrow after the team deemed wind levels were not desirable.

Chief of Nasa’s balloon programme, Debora Fairbrother, said Wānaka was an optimal location to conduct the launch for many reasons.

Mr Yoder points out Space Kiwi's capsule on the high-altitude interferometer wind observation payload.

"So we want a place that you're going to get day-night cycles ... We already fly from Antarctica and that’s constant sunlight" she said.

Wānaka and the region’s population was also a contributing factor.

Nasa has strict safety guidelines and one of the main concerns is always ensuring their balloons are not flown over populous areas where they might interfere with international flights.

That being said, Wānaka still provides the team with resources such as rental vehicles and equipment despite its small size.

"This is kind of the sweet spot ... plus, there's nothing like being in Wānaka" Ms Fairbrother said.

As a tribute to yet another Wānaka launch, the team brought back Space Kiwi, this time providing him with a new space suit and his own capsule.

During the 2023 launch, the team decided to take a plushy Kiwi toy as part of the balloon’s payload which local children named Space Kiwi.

Space Kiwi is now ready to go for his second trip around the southern hemisphere’s stratosphere aboard a stadium-sized balloon which weighs over 2000kg and is about 150m tall.

Both balloons will carry instruments designed to help scientists improve communication and navigation systems, measure light and sound waves and support several other scientific missions.

The balloon technology allows measurements and images to be taken day and night without the loss of pressure and volume that can occur with other technology.

Ms Fairbrother said they were hoping to have a successful launch tomorrow but, if conditions were not ideal, the team was prepared to continue trying until the end of May.