The space agency successfully launched a super-pressure balloon from its launch pad at the Wanaka Airport on Anzac day, but a leak meant the balloon was brought down in the Pacific Ocean near Chile 11 days into a planned 100-day orbit. It was the third launch of a super balloon from the airport in as many years but specific scientific needs mean there will be no launch from the airport next year.
Nasa communications chief Jeremy Eggers said the needs of the scientific community played a key part in deciding the schedule and the requirements for a launch. Up to three science missions in 2018 required flight in constant daylight in the northern hemisphere, Mr Eggers said.
"Because of that, we’re planning to fly from the European Space Range in Kiruna, Sweden, to meet the science teams’ requirements."
In addition to the space agency’s Antarctic launch, one additional overseas campaign launch was chosen from either Sweden, Wanaka or Australia, each year.
"We’re planning a 2019 mission from Wanaka and we continue to move forward on plans to build a new Wanaka balloon staging building on the airport grounds."
A new a 600m-diameter gravel semicircular launch pad was constructed earlier this year, on the northeast side of the airport. Nasa has also committed to Wanaka as one of its global launch bases for the next 10 years.
