The launch of multi-million-dollar NASA-sponsored balloons from Alice Springs has been delayed, partly due to a slow internet connection.

The balloons are being released into the stratosphere where instruments will transmit information about the stars and the galaxy.

There were tentative plans to launch the first of three balloons this week but organisers say final work is still being completed to ready the instruments for the journey.

Balloon launching centre spokesman Ravi Sood says weather conditions have to be perfect and there has also been difficulty getting the fast broadband connection to monitor the balloons.

"We're having ongoing problems with telecommunications here. Unfortunately that seems to be a part of life here in Central Australia," he said.