NASA's super pressure balloon launch is dependent on suitable conditions so on the day of a launch attempt, the NASA team will begin flight preparations in the early hours and will continue to evaluate real-time and forecast weather conditions throughout the morning. If the weather is conducive for launch, lift-off is scheduled between 8am and 11:30am.
Road closures/detour
- If the ‘GO’ order is given to start inflating the balloon, road closures will come into effect in the following 30 minutes and will be in place until 15 minutes after the balloon launches.
- State Highway 6 will be temporarily closed at Luggate and there will be a detour in place via Hawea Flat for motorists travelling between Wānaka and Cromwell.
Best viewing points off-airport
Immediately after lift-off the balloon will be visible for miles around so people will not need to be at the airport to see it. The best viewing points will be:
- Hawea Flat side of the Clutha River
- On Mt Iron
- On the hill on the Hawea side of the Red Bridge by Kane Rd
Live updates of balloon launch
- Track the progress of the flight at the following link, which includes a map showing the balloon's real-time location, at: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-csbf-ldsd
- For mission status updates follow NASA's Wallops Flight Facility social media accounts (#superballoon) www.facebook.com/NASAWFF www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops
- For launch updates follow Wānaka Airport's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WanakaAirport
- For the live broadcast from Wānaka Airport tune in to Radio Wānaka 97.0FM
