Nasa’s massive scientific balloon successfully launched on its first attempt from Wānaka Airport on Sunday and is now floating in the stratosphere towards South America.
A second balloon is still in a large box at Nasa’s hangar in Wānaka and is not scheduled to fly until Wednesday next week, at the earliest.
Nasa has confirmed Space Kiwi, a mascot given to the Nasa team during Covid quarantine last year, has finally lifted off.
