Australian Pico Balloon PS-58 launched in Melbourne in late December 2015, is gently floating towards just south of the equator near South America, as it edges easterly.

Amateur operators are keeping track of the balloons progress. Ken ZS6KN in Pretoria South Africa, Jim W8AC in Ohio and John AT4AT of Virginia USA.

The last report, received by Andy VK3YT confirmed his solar powered balloon was 9,000 metres in altitude, temperature was minus 25 degrees and all seemed to be going well. This balloon that was launched on December 29 is expected to reach mainland South America.

Its tiny 30 metre band signal on WSPR and JT9 allows further trackers to watch its progress.

AREG's website - http://www.areg.org.au