16 Apr 2025

The first of two planned scientific balloon flights for NASA’s 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign successfully lifted 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 18.8 million-cubic-foot super pressure balloon is on a mission planned for 100 days or more around the Southern Hemisphere’s mid-latitudes. 

This was the sixth launch attempt for the super pressure balloon as the balloon team worked through a series of cancellations due to weather. Conditions favorable for launch include winds that need to be light and flowing in the same direction at both the surface and at low levels up to about 1,000 feet (300 meters). Stratospheric wind conditions at the balloon’s intended float altitude of about 110,000 feet (33.5 km) are also monitored prior to launch.  

The stadium-sized balloon will ascend over the next few hours until it is fully inflated and at float.

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The HIWIND payload is readied prior to a launch attempt of a NASA super pressure balloon at Wānaka Airport, New Zealand.