The first super pressure balloon flight of NASA’s New Zealand Balloon Campaign reached its float altitude after lifting off from Wānaka Airport, New Zealand, at 10:44 a.m. NZST, Thursday, April 17 (6:44 p.m., Wednesday, April 16 in U.S. Eastern Time). The football-stadium-sized, heavy-lift super pressure balloon is on a mission planned for 100 days or more around the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-latitudes. 

“I am extremely proud of the team’s successful operations today,” said Gabriel Garde, chief of NASA’s Balloon Program Office at the agency’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. “The launch today is the culmination of years of dedicated efforts both at home and more recently in the field. From the flawless launch operations to the science data potential and the game-changing operational profile of the super pressure balloon platform, the NASA Balloon Program is as strong as ever.” 

The helium-filled 18.8 million-cubic-foot balloon ascended at a rate of about 1,000 feet per minute, fully inflating along the way until it reached its operational float altitude of about 110,000 feet (33.5 km) above Earth’s surface around two hours after launch. While the mission will spend most of its time over water during its around-the-world journey, some land crossings will occur. If weather permits, the balloon may be visible from the ground, particularly at sunrise and sunset. NASA invites the public to track the balloon’s path in real-time here. 

As the flight further tests and qualifies the agency’s super pressure balloon technology, the balloon is also carrying the High-altitude Interferometer Wind Observation (HIWIND) “mission of opportunity” on its journey. The HIWIND payload will measure neutral wind in the part of Earth’s atmosphere called the thermosphere. Understanding these winds will help scientists predict changes in the ionosphere, which can affect communication and navigation systems. 

“I cannot say enough about the tireless support and graciousness of our hosts and partners in New Zealand,” said Garde. “We understand the impacts on the community, and we are exceptionally appreciative of their partnership. It is truly an international effort, and I look forward to a very long and rewarding flight.”  

Preparations continue for the second and final super pressure balloon launch of the campaign. The balloon will carry smaller science investigations and technology demonstrations during its test flight.

Quelle: NASA