NASA Returns to New Zealand for Test Flights

NASA's revered Scientific Balloon Program has spectacularly touched down in Wānaka, New Zealand, gearing up for two thrilling test flights aimed at advancing its innovative super pressure balloon technology.

These enormous, stadium-sized balloons, designed for heavy lifting, are set to navigate the serene skies of the Southern Hemisphere, with missions planned to last an impressive 100 days or more!

Launch Operations Begin in Late March

Launch operations are kicking off in late March from the Wānaka Airport, NASA's chosen launch site for mid-latitude and ultra-long-duration balloon missions.

"We are extremely excited to return to New Zealand for this campaign to officially qualify the balloon vehicle for future scientific investigations," expressed Gabriel Garde, chief of NASA's Balloon Program Office at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The dedicated team has invested years in meticulous preparation, showcasing immense hard work and determination to make this campaign a reality.

Goals of the Test Flights

While the primary goal of these flights is to rigorously test and qualify the super pressure balloon technology, they will also accommodate various science missions and technology demonstrations.

The initial flight will feature the High-altitude Interferometer Wind Observation (HIWIND), led by experts at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado.

Science Missions in Focus

This remarkable payload will measure neutral winds in the thermosphere—an essential layer of Earth’s atmosphere—as understanding these winds is vital for predicting alterations in the ionosphere, which directly affect communication and navigation systems.

The second flight promises to be equally captivating, featuring several smaller "piggyback" missions, including:

- Compact Multichannel Imaging Camera (CoMIC): Led by the University of Massachusetts Lowell, this mission aims to delve into how Earth's atmosphere scatters light at high altitudes while investigating airglow phenomena.

- High-altitude Infrasound from Geophysical Sources (HIGS): This initiative, led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, will collect atmospheric pressure measurements to determine signals from geophysical events.

- Measuring Ocean Acoustics North of Antarctica (MOANA): This mission, orchestrated by Sandia National Laboratories in collaboration with the Swedish Institute of Space Physics, aims to capture inaudible sound waves.

Technology Demonstrations

In addition, NASA’s Balloon Program Office will showcase two vital technology demonstrations on the flights.

- INterim Dynamics Instrumentation for Gondolas (INDIGO): Designed to measure the shock effects on the gondola at various flight phases.

- Sensor Package for Attitude, Rotation, and Relative Observable Winds–7 (SPARROW-7): Equipped to measure wind speed and direction serenely in the balloon float environment.

The Magnitude of the Super Pressure Balloon

This monumental super pressure balloon is an awe-inspiring 18.8 million cubic feet (532,000 cubic meters) in volume when fully inflated, roughly comparable in size to the Forsyth-Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

The balloon will gracefully hover at an altitude of around 110,000 feet (33.5 kilometers), far surpassing the cruising height of commercial airplanes.

A New Era of Research

Designed as a closed system to prevent gas release, this super pressure balloon boasts greater stability, resulting in minimal altitude fluctuations.

This game-changing characteristic facilitates future missions to explore the near-space environment for extended periods, fostering extensive scientific and technological research.

Tracking the Missions

Curious observers can track the real-time paths of the balloons as they voyage around the globe via NASA's Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility website.

Launch and tracking details will also be actively disseminated through NASA's social media platforms.

Future Plans and Collaborations

Returning to Wānaka marks a significant milestone for NASA, as this is the sixth super pressure balloon campaign conducted in New Zealand since 2015.

Garde expresses gratitude towards local hosts and partners, acknowledging their pivotal role in the success of these missions.

Stay tuned for updates and buckle up—these flights promise to be nothing short of extraordinary!