Nasa has successfully launched its stadium sized super pressure balloon from the Wanaka Airport, just after 11am this morning.
Preparations for the launch started late last night as the space agency's balloon team based at the airport kept an eye of the weather conditions both on the ground and high in the stratosphere.
Filled with helium the super pressure balloon is made from polyethylene film - similar to what is used for sandwich bags, but much stronger and durable.
It was the eighth attempt at launching the balloon this year, earlier attempts were thwarted by unfavourable winds and cyclones Debbie and Cook.
The plan is for it now to circumnavigate the southern hemisphere on a 100 day journey.
In commemoration of Anzac Day a poppy was attached to the balloon's payload.
It has been a long mission for some of the balloon team who arrived in New Zealand at the end of February, but the hard work is far from over.
Nasa's Balloon programme office chief Debbie Fairbrother said the task for the balloon team now was too make sure the balloon acceded to an altitude of about 33.5km "floating level" and fully inflated.
"We are very excited to get it off the ground and now the test begins, we've got to get it up to float and pressurised and on to our journey of hopefully 100 days."
Once fully inflated the balloon is about the size of Forsyth Barr stadium and is carrying the University of Chicago's Extreme Universe Space Observatory, which is about the size as a small car.
The observatory is designed to detect high-energy cosmic rays, which originate outside of our galaxy and penetrate earth's atmosphere.
