NASA has postponed the third launch attempt of its super pressure balloon (SPB) from Wanaka, New Zealand, on Monday due to poor weather at ground and surface levels.
"Wind speeds were just slightly above those required for launch, and with the uncertainty for precipitation in the area, the team made the decision to postpone for the day," NASA scientists said in a blog post.
No launch attempt is scheduled for Tuesday. Also read: Defence Ministry to Launch Non-Profit Innovation Organisation to Boost Defence Innovations
NASA will announce by 2 p.m., on Tuesday, whether or not Wednesday's weather will support a launch attempt.
The second attempt was cancelled due to a mechanical issue with a crane used for launch operations, which has since been resolved.
The purpose of the flight is to test and validate the SPB technology with the goal of long-duration flight at mid-latitudes. Also read: In 10 Days, Giant Asteroid Will Fly 'Very Close' to Us, Says NASA
In addition, the University of Chicago's Extreme Universe Space Observatory on a Super Pressure Balloon (EUSO-SPB) is a mission of opportunity flying on the 2017 SPB test flight.
EUSO-SPB is designed to detect high-energy cosmic rays originating from outside our galaxy as they penetrate the Earth's atmosphere.
As these high-energy particles enter the atmosphere, they interact with nitrogen molecules in the air and create a UV fluorescence light.
EUSO-SPB will be looking downward at a broad swathe of the Earth's atmosphere to detect the UV fluorescence from these deep space cosmic rays coming in from above.Also read: NASA Captures Jupiter Image at Closest-to-Earth Position
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