NASA and Airways NZ Launch 2nd Super Pressure Balloon
- AKAP
- May 15, 2023
- 3 min read
NASA has successfully launched its second super pressure balloon from Wānaka Airport in New Zealand. Airways New Zealand collaborated with NASA to ensure a safe ascent for the stadium-sized balloon containing an estimated 19mmcf of helium, which inflates fully in flight and carries a scientific payload of over 2 tonnes. The current balloon is equipped with a University of Chicago instrument to detect ultra-high-energy cosmic ray particles. The balloons will circumnavigate the Southern Hemisphere for up to 100 days, aiding NASA in verifying and validating its technology.