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Airways teams with NASA for super-pressure balloon launch
MEDIA RELEASE
TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 2017
Airways
teams with NASA for super-pressure balloon
launch
NASA has successfully launched its
super-pressure scientific balloon from Wanaka aerodrome
today, with Airways New Zealand safely managing the
balloon’s ascent into near space.
New Zealand’s air navigation services provider worked alongside NASA to plan airspace logistics for the launch of its 532,000-cubic-meter helium filled balloon, for the third consecutive year.
Prior to take-off, a launch window was determined that would avoid disruption to scheduled aircraft operations.Airways' balloon launch coordinator gave the go-ahead to launch through New Zealand's controlled airspace at 10.50am and a little over an hour later the balloon reached 60,000 feet, near space altitude.
NASA’s first New Zealand super-pressure balloon launch was in 2015. To date Airways has enabled more than 120 launches for organisations such as NASA and Google and is currently working with Rocket Lab as it prepares to make history with the launch of its Electron rocket from Mahia Peninsula.
“Near space is a growing aviation sector with New Zealand’s regulatory environment and relatively uncongested airspace making it an attractive option for launch providers,” Airways Chief Operating Officer Pauline Lamb says.
“Our first priority is ensuring the safety of our skies, so we’re thrilled to have been at the forefront of NASA’s ground breaking research project over the past three years. Airways’ work to develop separation standards for balloon launches has been adopted by ICAO as guidance material for other states.”
This year NASA announced a 10 -year arrangement to continue balloon launches from Wanaka.
ends
Airways New Zealand
Making your world possible
Airways looks after air traffic throughout NZ; at control towers located at main trunk and regional airports; at NZ's military bases and in our two radar centres in Auckland and Christchurch. We work with government, regulatory authorities, airlines, airports and the general aviation community to ensure pilots, passengers and goods reach their destination - safely.
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