NASA launches giant balloon for data collection

NASA's Super Pressure Balloon stands fully inflated and ready for lift-off from Wanaka Airport, New Zealand before it took flight at 10:50 a.m. local time April 25, 2017. © Reuters

NASA has launched a super pressure balloon in New Zealand in a bid to collect data in near space.

The balloon was launched in Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island. It came after the failure of several earlier attempts due to torrential storms and cyclones.

The balloon, which is designed by the American Space Agency, is as large as a stadium and equipped with monitoring systems.

It’s been tasked to detect ultra-high energy cosmic particles that come from beyond our galaxy as they penetrate the earth’s atmosphere.

In addition to scientific apparatus, the balloon also carries a small red poppy to commemorate Anzac Day.

The public holiday honors Australian and New Zealand fighters who lost their lives in a major World War II battle.


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