NASA rocket launch to create colorful clouds on east coast
- 7 years ago
WALLOPS ISLAND, VIRGINIA — After having to postpone a rocket launch five times due to weather and other issues, NASA is hoping that sixth time’s the charm.
NASA was scheduled to launch a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, between 9:04 and 9:18 p.m. on June 13. The mission is to deploy 10 canisters from the new multi-canister ampoule ejection system, according to the agency’s latest press release.
The soda-can-sized canisters will release barium, strontium and cupric-oxide vapor tracers to form artificial red and blue-green clouds that scientists will then use to study the earth’s ionosphere and aurora.
The colorful clouds can be seen along the east coast, from New York to North Carolina and westward to Charlottesville, Virginia.
The visitor’s center at Wallops will be open about an hour before the launch for anyone who wants to personally see the rocket blast off. But if conditions still aren’t right, there’s a chance NASA might call off the launch at the last minute.
NASA was scheduled to launch a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, between 9:04 and 9:18 p.m. on June 13. The mission is to deploy 10 canisters from the new multi-canister ampoule ejection system, according to the agency’s latest press release.
The soda-can-sized canisters will release barium, strontium and cupric-oxide vapor tracers to form artificial red and blue-green clouds that scientists will then use to study the earth’s ionosphere and aurora.
The colorful clouds can be seen along the east coast, from New York to North Carolina and westward to Charlottesville, Virginia.
The visitor’s center at Wallops will be open about an hour before the launch for anyone who wants to personally see the rocket blast off. But if conditions still aren’t right, there’s a chance NASA might call off the launch at the last minute.