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Second NASA Super Pressure Balloon Launches from New Zealand

A large scientific balloon lifts from the ground. It’s attached by a long cable to a vehicle on the ground, which has a boxy scientific payload dangling from the right side on a long arm. The background has a mountain range with some clouds against a blue sky.
A super pressure balloon lifts off from New Zealand.
NASA

The second 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 11:38 a.m. NZST, Sunday, May 4 (7:38 p.m., Saturday, May 3 in U.S. Eastern Time).

The 18.8 million-cubic-foot super pressure balloon will ascend over the next few hours until it is fully inflated and at float. Stay tuned for updates on the NASA Wallops blog.  

For more information on NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/scientificballoons.  

A large metal scientific instrument is suspended from a yellow crane with a hangar in the background.
Technicians ready the payload for the second balloon test flight prior to a launch attempt in NASA’s 2025 New Zealand Super Pressure Balloon Campaign.
NASA/Bill Rodman