Форум Новости Космонавтики

Цитировать[quote:22e5d26b4f="Sharicoff"]С Уоллопса пускают Black Brant V и Terrier-Improved Orion. Трансляция: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
http://mfile.akamai.com/18569/live/reflector:59445.asx[/quote:22e5d26b4f]

Цитировать[quote:22e5d26b4f="KURYER"]

Цитировать[quote:22e5d26b4f]The Expert capsule, studded with around 150 different sensors, is due to fly in spring 2012, sea-launched from a Russian submarine for recovery on Russia's Kamchatka peninsula.[/quote:22e5d26b4f]

На основании сообщения Salo предлагаю вернуть многострадальный Эксперт в план ПУсков :lol:[/quote:22e5d26b4f]

ЦитироватьNET 8/15/2011 - SubTEC IV - Terrier Mk 70 - Wallops Research Range
TBD - LAS Ascent Abort 1 - TBD - White Sands Missile Range
4Q 2011 - LAS Ascent Abort 2 - TBD - TBD
Q4 2012   LAS Pad Abort 2 - TBD - TBD

ЦитироватьIran plans to send monkey to space[/size]

Tue Jun 28, 2011 4:48AM

Kavoshgar 4 (Explorer 4) satellite carrier

Head of Iran Space Agency (ISA) Hamid Fazeli says the country plans to send a live monkey into space onboard the country's domestically-made Kavoshgar 5 (Explorer 5) satellite carrier.

"Kavoshgar 5, with a weight of 285 kg, will blast off into space with a living creature (a monkey) in the next Iranian calendar month (that begins on July 23)," IRNA quoted Fazeli as saying on Monday.[/size]

Цитировать— 28.06.2011 15:52 —
Иран готовит запуск в космос обезьянок-астронавтов[/size]

Тегеран проводит испытания ракет, с помощью которых Иран планирует запустить на орбиту первых обезьянок-астронавтов. Об этом сообщает Al Jazeera.

Иран представил очередной этап своей космической программы, заявив, что первая обезьянка отправится в космос уже в следующем месяце.

Всего в Тегеране проверяют пять «обезьянок-астронавтов». Все они были отобраны и подготовлены к полету на ракете «Кавошгар-5», заявил в понедельник глава Иранского космического агентства.[/size]

ЦитироватьС Уоллопса пускают Black Brant V и Terrier-Improved Orion. Трансляция: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
http://mfile.akamai.com/18569/live/reflector:59445.asx

ЦитироватьWe have scrubbed for today because of cloud vocer at one of teh viewing sites and the activity in the ionosphere is beginnning to go away. We will try again tomorrow. Webcast begins at 8:30 and the launch window is 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

ЦитироватьRocket Launches Completed from NASA Wallops; Second Pair Scheduled July 12[/size]
07.10.11
 
View Larger Image
 NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia successfully launched two NASA sounding rockets carrying experiments to study the ionosphere on Sunday, July 10, 2011. The Black Brant V rocket launched at 10 a.m. and the second rocket, a Terrier-Improved Orion, launched 15 seconds later.

 A second pair of Black Brant V/Terrier-Improved Orion rockets will be launched no earlier than Tuesday, July 12, as part of the series to study the ionosphere. The launch window will be 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The backup days will be July 13 through 23.

 For more information on these missions, please visit the following website: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/rockets-atmosphere.html

 The rockets will be visible in the Wallops area.

 The NASA Visitor Center will open at 8:30 a.m. on launch day for viewing the launch.

 The launch will be webcast beginning at 8:30 a.m. on launch day at: http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast

 Launch status can be followed on Twitter at: http://www.Twitter.com/NASA_Wallops[/size]

(http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/images/content/568199main_daytimedynamo.jpg)

ЦитироватьHead of Iran Space Agency (ISA) Hamid Fazeli said on Thursday that the Iranian bio-capsule will take a live creature into orbit by early September.
[/size]

ЦитироватьArgentina launches rocket to conduct atmospheric research[/size]

English.news.cn   2011-07-12 12:39:57

BUENOS AIRES, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Argentina successfully launched a rocket Monday after several failed attempts, a local government said in a statement.

The rocket Gradicom II was launched at the Chamical Air Base in northern La Rioja province.

The solid fuel-powered rocket was aimed to test-fly a prototype of two-stage rocket, which has a 120-second flight in the outer space, to conduct experiments with its systems and subsystems onboard.

The rocket was 7,686 millimeters long and weighs 933 kilograms and was completely developed by Argentine scientists and technicians.

The Gradicom II was launched to implement a new rocket program for civil and military use. It will set a "new stage for aerospace investigation" in Argentina, according to the statement.

"This is a historic day for the people of La Rioja and, fundamentally, for Argentina," Governor Luis Beder said at the launching ceremony.[/size]

ЦитироватьSuborbital Skydiver to Jump From Interobital Systems Rocket[/size]
Posted by Doug Messier
on July 15, 2011, at 4:44 pm
in Interorbital Systems


FreeFlyer Olav Zipser with Interorbital's SR145 rocket.

IOS PR — World-renowned skydiver/daredevil Olav Zipser has chosen Mojave rocket manufacturer Interorbital Systems as the launch provider for his attempt to break Joe Kittinger's 1960 high-altitude jump record.

Zipser will forego the previous balloon-lift method used by the current record-holder, and instead will jump from an IOS SR 145 rocket. The launcher will propel Olav to an altitude of over 40 kilometers (about 25 miles)—higher than any manned balloon can possibly go—where he will eject from the launch vehicle and FreeFly back towards Earth in what he intends to be the longest, fastest, and highest skydive in history: his FreeFly Astronaut Project.

"This initial record attempt will be the first of a whole program, culminating with a dive from above the Karman line (100km), from a real space altitude. This is not a stunt. This is a research mission," Zipser stated. "I created the sport of FreeFlying and have gathered a great deal of important data, but more work is required. That's why committing to five rocket launches with IOS; these FreeFly events will happen at increasingly higher altitudes. This scientific data will be gathered to develop a safe return method that will benefit the entire aerospace industry—I can even see this as a new extreme sport with unlimited potential."

Olav leaves in two weeks for Russia, where he will attend the MAKS Air Show and begin a stay at Star City, for training and collaboration on the development of a supersonic spacesuit that can be used as an economical rescue/return alternative for astronauts and space tourists.

For more about Olav's aviation sports research and his fascinating career, visit:
http://www.1olav.com/en/commercial-work/aerial-stuntwork/stratospherespace-flight[/size]

Цитировать41.092 GO / Rosanova launched successfully from WFF at 7:58 am on 7/21/2011. This was the first mission that I have been assigned to (I am a mechanical engineer working for a contractor for NASA at WFF) as the payload mechanical engineer from the mission initiation through mission closeout to launch from Wallops! I've had one other from White Sands (WSMR) and another that I wasn't on the entire mission from WFF.

The vehicle was a Mk. 12 Terrier - Improved Orion.

The payload was a student experiment carrier designed to be parachute recovered from the ocean surface.

I can provide details if anyone is interested.

3 pictures;
-The payload on the launcher with pad 0B (Taurus II pad) behind it. This is how far the blockhouse for the 41.092 launch is away from the vehicle.
-Rocket on the rail with shelter over it.
-Rocket on the rail with shelter removed.

From Wallops Flight Facility:
The launch of a NASA Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital rocket was successfully conducted at 7:58 a.m. EDT today from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The launch was carrying experiments developed by undergraduate students at four universities. The mission also included a test of a new recovery system.

The universities involved in the project, supported by the Colorado Space Grant Consortium, were the University of Puerto Rico, University of Wyoming, University of Northern Colorado and University of Colorado at Boulder.

The payload was recovered.

This was the last launch scheduled from Wallops Island during the summer. The next launch, a flight test of a Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital rocket, is currently scheduled for no earlier than September.[/size]

ЦитироватьRocket Launch Completed from NASA Wallops[/size]
07.21.11
 
Terrier Orion Launch from Wallops View Larger Image The launch of a NASA Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital rocket was successfully conducted at 7:58 a.m. EDT today from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The launch was carrying experiments developed by undergraduate students at four universities. The mission also included a test of a new recovery system.

The universities involved in the project, supported by the Colorado Space Grant Consortium, were the University of Puerto Rico, University of Wyoming, University of Northern Colorado and University of Colorado at Boulder.

The payload was recovered.

This was the last launch scheduled from Wallops Island during the summer. The next launch, a flight test of a Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital rocket, is currently scheduled for no earlier than September.[/size]

Цитировать'Iran to send Kavoshgar 5 into space'
Mon Aug 22, 2011 2:39PM GMT

Iran plans to launch another domestically-built satellite carrier, Kavoshgar 5, into space by the end of summer, the head of the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) says.

"Kavoshgar (Explorer)'s cargo, with a weight of 300 kg, contains a biological capsule in which a rhesus monkey will be placed," Hamid Fazeli said on Monday.

Fazeli added that the ISA plans to study the vital signs of the living organism and obtain results, "which are important for sending humans to space in the future," Mehr News Agency reported.

ЦитироватьIran to launch new space mission soon[/size]
Tue Sep 6, 2011 9:10AM GMT

Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has announced the forthcoming launch of a bio-capsule into space carrying a live creature.

Iran's domestically-built satellite carrier, Kavoshgar 5, is tasked with carrying the bio-capsule into space with a live creature over the next few days, IRIB quoted General Vahidi as saying on Tuesday.

Reports indicate that the launch could take place as early as Wednesday. [/size]


Iran's Kavoshgar 4 rocket

Цитировать

ЦитироватьJapanese ISAS will launch the suborbital S-520-26 on September 11. Launch window is 0150UTC to 1104UTC. This mission will be launched from Uchinoura Space Center.

According to http://blog.livedoor.jp/h2a_f8/, the launch was delayed because of a equipment failure. No new launch date was announced.

ЦитироватьNASA flight 12.076GT on Sep 8 from Wallops was a test of the Terrier booster,
apparently with a dummy upper stage - it presumably only reached 10 km or so in altitude and I mention it here only to avoid potential confusion - it was not a space launch.

ЦитироватьИран откладывает отправку примата в космос[/size]
(16:58) 03.10.2011

// CyberSecurity.ru // - Иранское государственное телевидение сегодня сообщило, что планы страны по отправке в космос собственными силами примата отложены на неопределенное время. Хамид Фазели, глава Космического управления Ирана, говорит, что техническая сторона проекта для отправки обезьяны в космос готова, но пока не готовы ученые и подопытные животные. "Как только они будут готовы, мы анонсируем полет", - сказал он.

 Фазели ранее заявлял, что ракета-носитель Кавошгар-5 с 285-килограммовой капсулой, где будет находиться обезьяна, будет запущена в августе на околоземную орбиту высотой 120 км. Сейчас в Иране говорят, что этот старт не состоялся и пока не предоставляют данных о том, когда он мог бы быть. Напомним, что в середине марта этого года Иран запустил ракету Кавошгар-4 с прототипом капсулы на орбиту. Старт был успешным.

 В марте этого года президент Ирана Махмуд Ахмадинежад также заявлял, что до марта 2012 года его страна выведет на орбиту 4 собственных спутника для выполнения разных задач.

 В 2010 году иранские специалисты при помощи ракеты-носителя Кавошгар-3 выводили на орбиту капсулу с крысами, черепахами и червями. Иранские ученые исследовали показатели жизнедеятельности животных. Впервые собственный иранский спутник был выведен на орбиту в 2009 году. К 2020 году страна надеется собственными силами провести пилотируемый полет с участием человека.[/size]

ЦитироватьГоворят, что пускали в августе-сентябре, и неуспешно:

ЦитироватьAFP: 'Iran Failed With Space Monkey Launch: Report'

Paris, Oct 12 -- Iran acknowledged as a failure Wednesday its attempt to send a live monkey into space last month -- touted as its first step towards launching a man into space.

"The Kavoshgar-5 rocket carrying a capsule with a live animal (a monkey) was launched during Shahrivar," an Iranian calendar month spanning August 23 to September 22, Deputy Science Minister Mohammad Mehdinejad-Nouri was quoted as saying by the ISNA news agency.

"However, the launch was not publicised as all of its anticipated objectives were not accomplished," Mehdinejad-Nouri told reporters.

He said the launch of a live animal into space was "strategic, and a priority," and expressed hope that future launches would attain more of the objectives set.

On October 3, Iran indefinitely postponed plans to send a live monkey into space, without giving any reasons.

"One cannot give a set date for this project and as soon as our nation's scientists announce the readiness (of the project) it will be announced," said Hamid Fazeli, head of Iran's Space Organisation.

The project envisaged launching a capsule with life support using the Kavoshgar-5 rocket to an altitude of 120 kilometres (75 miles) for a 20-minute sub-orbital flight.

The project was unveiled in February by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

At the time, Fazeli touted the launch of a large animal as the first step towards sending a man into space, which Tehran says is scheduled for 2020.

In mid-March, Iran announced the successful launch of an earlier version of the rocket, Kavoshgar-4, carrying a test capsule designed to house the monkey.

Iran has already sent small animals into space -- a rat, turtles and worms -- aboard a capsule carried by its Kavoshgar-3 rocket in 2010.

The Islamic republic, which first put a satellite into orbit in 2009, has outlined an ambitious space programme amid Western concerns the rocket technology may be linked to developing ballistic missiles that could deliver nuclear warheads.

Tehran has repeatedly denied that its nuclear and scientific programmes mask military ambitions.

Бедная обезьянка...

ЦитироватьUP Aerospace Awarded NASA, DOD Contracts for Spaceport America Launches[/size]
Posted by Doug Messier on October 11, 2011, at 12:15 pm


 UP AEROSPACE PR – NASA's Office of Chief Technologist Launch Opportunities Program has awarded UP Aerospace a contract to integrate technology payloads and launch them into space on up to 8 flights using the company's SpaceLoft rocket. The launch contract is part of the 2 year IDIQ contract awarded to the firm on August 9, 2011. The contract reserves 2 SpaceLoft launches with options to purchase 6 additional flights in 2012 and 2013. The first flight for NASA is in the planning phase and is expected to be launched from Spaceport America in the 1st quarter of 2012. UP Aerospace has teamed with Schafer Corporation to provide NASA with comprehensive launch and payload integration services.

The US Department of Defense Operationally Responsive Space Office has awarded UP Aerospace a full manifested sub-orbital launch contract to be flown from Spaceport America in New Mexico. UP Aerospace will launch their sixth SpaceLoft for the DoD to an altitude of 115 km. This will be the forth mission flown by UP Aerospace for the DoD and the first fully dedicated launch for the defense agency. The official launch date for this mission is under negotiations with the DoD but is anticipated to be in the first quarter of 2012[/size].

ЦитироватьCHAMPS[/size]

This is a completed mission. The information shown here is no longer kept up to date.


The two-stage sounding rockets in the CHAMPS campaign will investigate meteoric smoke particles.
Image by: Trond Abrahamsen.

The CHAMPS mission (Charge and Mass of Meteoric Smoke Particles) is set to investigate the number, density, charge, and mass distribution of meteoritic smoke particles.

These particles are believed to play an important role in the creation of noctilucent clouds (NLC).

Two sounding rockets will be launched; one around local noon and one around local midnight. The primary instrument used is the forward facing Mesospheric Aerosol Sampling Spectrometer, which has been flown on past missions.

The launch vehicles will be using Terrier Mk12 as first stage and Improved Orion for second stage. The expected apogee will be around 130 kilometers.
Principal Investigator

Dr Scott Robertson, University of Colorado.

Launch Site
The launch operation will be performed from Andoya.[/size]

Цитировать (http://radikal.ru/F/i079.radikal.ru/1110/50/f69423925ae4.jpg.html)

ЦитироватьCode 810: Sounding Rockets Program Office
36.264 UH MCCAMMON/UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN11-6-2011

36.264 UH Terrier-Black Brant  was launched from White Sands Missile Range on November 6, 2011. The purpose of this mission is to measure the spectrum of the diffuse X-ray emission from the interstellar medium over the energy range 0.07 to 1 keV. The Principal Investigator is Dr. Dan McCammon/University of Wisconsin.

ЦитироватьMapheus-3 – spherules, metals and microgravity[/size]

23 November 2011

 DLR scientists launch sounding rocket with material physics experiments

First, it is launched into space at 5400 kilometres per hour, then come three and a half minutes of weightlessness, and finally it lands using a parachute. Researchers at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum f

ЦитироватьTEXUS 48 RSS
Around six minutes of microgravity
The TEXUS programme started in 1977 and is carried out at Esrange Space Center jointly by DLR, EADS Astrium and SSC.

The project

The TEXUS project is a sounding rocket program with the primary aim to investigate the properties and behaviour of materials, chemicals and biological substances in a microgravity environment. The TEXUS program gives around six minutes of microgravity.
The TEXUS programme started in 1977 and is carried out at the Esrange Space Center jointly by DLR and EADS Astrium. SSC is responsible for the launch operations. The TEXUS campaigns are sometimes financed by ESA or jointly financed by DLR and ESA.

TEXUS 48

The rocket vehicle Skylark 7 was used very successfully for the first 25 years until the motor was no longer available. The Brazilian motor VSB-30 has been used for the TEXUS programme since 2005 and will be used to launch the TEXUS 48 payload to around 270 km altitude.
More information will be added later.[/size]

ЦитироватьEurope prepares new technologies for future launchers[/size]
   
(http://www.esa.int/images/DSC_0347s.jpg)

29 November 2011
ESA and the DLR German Space Center fired a Texus rocket 263 km into space on 27 November to test a new way of handling propellants on Europe's future rockets.
 
Texus 48 lifted off at 10:10 GMT (11:10 CET) from the Esrange Space Centre near Kiruna in northern Sweden on its 13-minute flight.

During the six minutes of weightlessness – mimicking the different stages of a full spaceflight – two new devices were tested for handling super-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen propellants and then recovered for analysis.

Building on over 30 years of Texus missions, flight 48 was the first to demonstrate a new technology for future launchers.

DLR procured the rocket for this flight, which was performed under ESA's Cryogenic Upper Stage Technologies (CUST) project as part of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP).  
 
   
(http://www.esa.int/images/IMG_6688,0.JPG)   
Texus 48 preparations

Improved upper stage
 
ESA is working on a restartable cryogenic upper stage to improve Europe's launchers.

Liquids naturally float around in weightlessness but to ensure engine ignition after a long coast in low-gravity, propellant must be held ready at the tank's outlet using 'capillary' forces – the same force that helps paper towels soak up water.

Although this has already been mastered for launchers and satellites that use storable liquids, higher-performance cryogenic fluids are more difficult to handle.

On Texus 48, liquid nitrogen represented the cryogenic propellants to ease cost and safety constraints, and simplify the thermal design.
 
 
(http://www.esa.int/images/IMG_0276s.jpg)   
Recovery of the payloads
   
"The launch of Texus 48 demonstrating new technologies for future rockets was a success. It also shows great cooperation with DLR, where joint efforts made this flight possible on time," said Guy Pilchen, Future Launchers Preparatory Programme Manager.[/size]

Цитировать[19.12.2011]
Росгидромет провел успешные испытания метеорологической ракеты МР-30[/size]

В Росгидромете успешно проведены летные испытания ракетного метеорологического комплекса МР-30 нового поколения с уникальными возможностями, существенно превышающими возможности метеорологической ракеты МР-20 (разработка конца прошлого столетия) по высоте полета и массе полезной измерительной аппаратуры.
                На испытательном полигоне Капустин Яр состоялись первые пуски метеорологических ракет МР-30. Старт и полет ракет пошел нормально, телеметрическая аппаратура передала полезную информацию о режимах полета ракеты и состоянии окружающей среды. Высота подъема метеорологической ракеты МР-30 составила 304 км при массе полезного груза (измерительная аппаратура и исследовательское оборудование) около 150 кг.
                После завершения серии опытных (исследовательских) испытаний, ракета МР-30 будет использоваться в системе Росгидромета для оперативного мониторинга состоянии верхней атмосферы на регулярной основе. Данные будут поступать в Росгидромет в режиме online.
                Организация регулярных пусков ракет в разных географических районах России даст возможность оценивать физические свойства верхней атмосферы и моделировать ее динамические характеристики.[/size]

ЦитироватьNO.
MISSION
EXPERIMENTER/ORGANIZATION
RANGE
DATE
TIME
RESPONSIBILITY
1.
36.249 DR
MARTI/USAF-ABL
SAN-NIC
MAR
DAY
T. GASS
2.
39.011 NR
CHEATWOOD/NASA-LARC
WI
APR
DAY
VALLIANT/SCOTT
3.
36.232 DR
MARTI/USAF-ABL
SAN-NIC
JUN
DAY
T. GASS

ЦитироватьThe launch of a Terrier - Improved Malemute sounding rocket, mission 12.074 - Hall, is scheduled for 0730 local time today (01/11/2012) from Wallops Flight Facility. Window runs from 0730 to 0900.

http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/

If anyone has questions I can probably elaborate more than the webcast will explain. I am in the blockhouse for this launch. Here's hoping we get it launched today!

ЦитироватьPosted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:36:20 EST
Mission complete. Launch time was 8:25 a.m. Next launch from Wallops is currently scheduled for no earlier than March 15.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:25:00 EST
Launch

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:24:01 EST
T-60 seconds

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:23:43 EST
Payload go for launch

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:22:38 EST
Payload on internal power

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:15:02 EST
T-10 minutes and counting. Payload on external power

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:04:34 EST
T-10 minutes and holding

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:02:53 EST
Payload off internal power

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:01:22 EST
Holding at T-3 minutes for about 5 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 08:00:39 EST
Boat in hazard area

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:58:30 EST
Hold

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:56:28 EST
Counting. Target launch is 7:59

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:53:01 EST
T-3 minutes holding. Payload systems back on external power.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:50:38 EST
Possible ship in hazard area

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:50:07 EST
Hold

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:49:59 EST
t - 1 minute

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:49:29 EST
T-90 seconds

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:49:06 EST
Payload on internal power

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:47:40 EST
Webcast running about 5-7 seconds behind actual events

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:46:14 EST
Continuing count. No hold required for weather

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:44:54 EST
Payload systems confirmed ready

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:41:41 EST
Payload on external power

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:41:00 EST
T-10 minutes and counting

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:38:29 EST
Station check are complete

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:36:04 EST
T-15 minutes and counting

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:35:53 EST
Getting ready to pick up count

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:32:20 EST
Launch window has opened and runs until 9 a.m.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:24:09 EST
For this morning's launch, since this a flight test of the vehicle, we would like as clear as skies as possible to get photo/video of the rocket's flight.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:12:55 EST
We are going to hold at T-15 minutes and watch weather conditions. We still have fog on the island some clouds.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:09:59 EST
T-20 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:07:36 EST
Visibility on the island is improving. Safety is watching one ship that may enter one the mariner avoidance areas.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 07:00:35 EST
T-30 minutes and counting.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 06:57:20 EST
Webcast video this morning is running about 4 to 5 seconds behind actual events.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 06:47:37 EST
We are still dealing with fog in the area with visibility on Wallops Island around 1/4 mile. Expect broken clouds at about 20,000 feet by the start of the launch window.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 06:43:04 EST
We are not launching the second rocket. Radars had good track on first rocket. Range is now at T-47 minutes and counting for Terrier-Improved Malemute launch

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 06:39:01 EST
T-60 seconds and counting for launch of first test rocket.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 06:30:03 EST
T-60 minutes to the opening of the launch window. We should be ready for launch of the test rockets in about 10 to 15 minutes.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 06:03:55 EST
Beginning preparation of test rockets. These small rockets will be launched before the the Terrier-Improved Malemute to check out the radar tracking systems.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 05:34:18 EST
At 5:30 a.m. We are T-2 hours and counting for the Terrier-Improved Malemute launch. The launch team will shortly begin checks of the payload with the rocket in the launch position.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-11 at 05:03:30 EST
At 5 a.m. We are at T-2 hours and 30 minutes from the opening of the launch window this morning for the test flight of the Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital sounding rocket. The launch window is 7:30 to 9 a.m. Clear skies this morning with some fog in the area. Watching clouds coming in from the west. Check out of the payload with the rocket in the horizontal position has been completed.

Posted by RCC on 2012-01-04 at 13:46:25 EST
A flight test of a NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital sounding rocket is scheduled for January 11 from Wallops Island. Using surplus rocket motors, the vehicle is being developed to support NASA science missions. The rocket is set for launch between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. The backup launch days are January 12 and 13. The rocket will be visible to residents in the Wallops area. The NASA Visitor Center will open at 6:30 a.m. on launch day for public viewing. The mission will be web cast beginning at 6:30 a.m. Mission status on launch day can be followed on Twitter at: http://www.Twitter.com/NASA_Wallops [/size]

ЦитироватьJanuary 12, 2012 Updated
S-520-26 launch result[/size]

JAXA launched the sounding rocket S-520-26 at 5:51 a.m. on January 12, 2012 (Japan Standard Time) from the Uchinoura Space Center. The vertical angle at the launch was 72.5 degrees. The S-520-26 was designated to clarify the combining process of the neutral atmosphere and plasma in the thermosphere.
The rocket flew smoothly, and opened its top part (the nose fairing) at 56 seconds after liftoff to start observations at 58 seconds. When it reached its maximum altitude of 298 km at 278 seconds, the lithium emission system was ignited to release lithium vapor to be dropped into the south eastern ocean of Uchinoura.
One of the onboard devices (the ion mass energy analyzer) did not perform observations successfully, but other devices, including an impedance probe, Langumuir probe, beacon transmitter, electromagnetic measurement device, and solar sensor, worked properly throughout the ascending and descending of the rocket. Reddish clouds due to lithium gas released from the rocket were seen for about 30 minutes from the ground observation points in Uchinoura, Shukumo, and Muroto. The acquired data this time will be analyzed in detail.[/size]

ЦитироватьDecember 20, 2011 Updated
S-310-40 launch result[/size]

JAXA launched the sounding rocket S-310-40 at 11:48 p.m. on Dec. 19, 2011 (Japan Standard time) from the Uchinoura Space Center. The vertical angle at the launch was 76 degrees. The S-310-40 was designated to analyze radio wave propagation in the mid-latitude ionosphere during the night.
The flight and operation of the onboard devices were all normal, and its top part (the nose fairing) opened at the preordain timing of 60 seconds after liftoff, reached its highest altitude of 180 km at 210 seconds, then dropped onto the south eastern ocean of Uchinoura after completing its observation missions.
All onboard devices worked properly throughout the ascending and descending, and, at about 80 seconds, the high electron density area was observed at an altitude of around 103 km. It means that the rocket passed through the expected high density plasma area.
We are currently analyzing acquired data for more details. [/size]

ЦитироватьSuccessful launch from spaceport Saturday[/size]
Sun-News report
Posted:   01/31/2012 11:59:03 PM MST

UPHAM, NM - A "STIG-A" rocket designed and built by Armadillo Aerospace launched successfully Saturday from Spaceport America's vertical launch complex. The research and development test flight was a non-public, unpublished event at the request of Armadillo Aerospace, as the company is testing proprietary advanced launch technologies.

Preliminary data indicates the rocket reached its projected altitude well in excess of the prior flight record of 137,000 feet and potentially as high as 250,000 feet. The STIG-A's recovery system did not function properly after reaching its projected altitude, however the rocket was successfully retrieved after a hard landing within the designated Spaceport America mission recovery zone.

This was the third test of the Armadillo "STIG A" reusable sub-orbital rocket technology to launch at Spaceport America. The last successful "STIG-A" was launched at the spaceport on Dec. 4, 2011, and this is the first time that the exact same vehicle has been launched for a second time.

Saturday's launch was the 14th from the Spaceport America vertical launch complex since 2006 and marks the fourth Armadillo Aerospace launch from the spaceport. Armadillo Aerospace has additional plans to launch from Spaceport America this year.[/size]

Цитировать2012-02-03   SubTEC IV   Launch date slipped to NET July 2012.

Цитировать14.02.2012 / 00:05   Пуск бразильской ракеты со шведского полигона

       13 февраля 2012 года в 09:32 UTC (13:32 мск) со шведского ракетного полигона в Кируна осуществлен пуск бразильской геофизической ракеты VSB-30. Основной задачей полета являлось проведение экспериментов в условиях микрогравитации с комплектом приборов MASER 12. Максимальная высота подъема ракеты составила 260 км.

     - К.И

ЦитироватьMaser rocket experiments sounding good[/size]

(http://www.esa.int/images/launch-MASER11.jpg)
 
13 February 2012
Five experiments on a Maser rocket were launched from northern Sweden today. Faster than most people take a coffee break, Maser-12 travelled 250 km upwards, provided six precious minutes of microgravity, and landed safely back on Earth.
 
 Launched at 09:30 GMT on 13 February, it took only 45 seconds for the 'sounding rocket' to leave the atmosphere. Once it ran out of propellant, the mission had only just begun for the scientists watching on the ground.  

(http://www.esa.int/images/xrmon-julgranar.jpg)    
Metal crystals

They had around six minutes to run their experiments and collect data during the weightlessness.

 On this mission, Maser felt the heat: one experiment used a small furnace to cook a metal sample to 700°C.

 At this temperature, the mixture of aluminium and copper turned liquid before it was frozen inside a cooling chamber to solidify into crystal clusters. An X-ray camera captured this dramatic experiment for analysis.
 
 
Maser-12 also featured experiments in molecular biology. The weightless behaviour of human immune-cells was compared with that of their counterparts on the ground. Another experiment looked at how blood transports cells.

 By observing how cells behave in microgravity, scientists gain a better understanding of how they work on Earth.

 Lastly, a liquid was observed to help understand boiling and heat transfer.
 
(http://www.esa.int/images/Nyttolasten-pa-Innventia.JPG)    
Maser-12   

Parachutes released automatically on Maser's trip down, guaranteeing a soft landing for the payload module.

 But there is only so much you can research from a distance, so the search and rescue service at Sweden's Esrange returned the experiments to the scientists for more detailed analysis.

 In the vast wilderness of northern Sweden, it helps that a satnav device comes as standard on a Maser. The retrieval team pinpointed the landing site and the experiments were returned by helicopter within an hour of touchdown.
 
Conducting research in microgravity is an important task for ESA. The information from the superheated metal experiment, for example, will bring us closer to creating lighter materials for use in cars or as artificial bones.

 The wilderness around Esrange means that rockets can descend with no danger of causing harm. Despite its remote location, the town of Kiruna is only 45 km away, providing the support needed for a launch site.[/size]

ЦитироватьUNH Scientists Launch NASA Rocket into Aurora[/size]
Source: University of New Hampshire
Posted Monday, February 20, 2012


 With the full sky shimmering in green aurora, Saturday night (Feb. 18, 2012) a team of scientists, including space physicist Marc Lessard and graduate students from the University of New Hampshire's Space Science Center, launched an instrument-laden, two-stage sounding rocket from the Poker Flat Research Range in Fairbanks, Alaska. The precision measurements from the rocket's instruments will shed new light on the physical processes that create the northern lights and further our understanding of the complex Sun-Earth connection.

 Funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfven resonator (MICA) mission sent a 40-foot Terrier-Black Brant rocket arcing through aurora 186 miles above Earth. The rocket sent a stream of real-time data back before landing some 200 miles downrange shortly after the launch.

 Instruments onboard, including those built at UNH, sampled electric and magnetic fields as well as charged particles in Earth's upper atmosphere (ionosphere) that get sloshed back and forth by a specific form of electromagnetic energy known as Alfven waves. These waves are thought to be a key driver of "discrete" aurora -- the typical, well-defined band of shimmering lights about six miles thick and stretching east to west from horizon to horizon.

 The mission involves collaborators from Cornell University, Dartmouth College, the Southwest Research Institute, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the University of Oslo.

 According to Lessard, an associate professor at the UNH Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS) and department of physics, the Alfven resonator is a structure in the ionosphere that acts like a guitar string when "plucked" by energy delivered by the solar wind to Earth's magnetosphere high above.

 "The ionosphere, some 62 miles up, is one end of the guitar string and there's another structure over a thousand miles up in space that is the other end of the string. When it gets plucked by incoming energy we can get a fundamental frequency and other 'harmonics' along the background magnetic field sitting above the ionosphere," Lessard says.

 The Alfven resonator is a narrow, confined area of space -- a channel that is perhaps several hundreds of miles tall but only six miles wide. It is hypothesized that energy from the Sun accelerates a beam of electrons producing aurora and also increasing the overall electrical conductivity within the channel. Understanding how the ionosphere participates in providing the downward current is a critical component of understanding magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.

 "The process turns on an auroral arc and then these waves develop on both sides of the resonator moving up and down. That's the theory and it appears to be valid, but there's never been any really good measurement of the process in action. That's what MICA is all about," Lessard says.

 MICA will provide insight into these wave-driven aurora specifically, but Lessard notes there are other types of aurora that are initiated by different processes and these, too, were investigated at ground-based stations during the MICA launch by scientists, including Allison Jaynes and Ian Cohen, both Ph.D. students working with Lessard in the Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Research Laboratory at EOS.

 UNH has a rich history of sounding rocket development and launches dating back to the early 1960s. As Lessard notes, rocket work is ideal training ground for graduate students, as it was for him at UNH, because, unlike satellite missions, rocket missions generally offer "soup to nuts" involvement from design, construction, launch, and data analysis. Rockets also offer relatively quick and inexpensive access to space compared to satellite missions.

 As for the significance of continued investigation into auroral processes, Lessard notes, "It's all about understanding how the energy of the solar wind gets coupled to Earth's magnetic field and eventually gets dumped into the our upper atmosphere."[/size]

ЦитироватьМОСКВА, 5 мар - РИА Новости. НАСА планирует во второй половине марта устроить на восточном побережье США настоящий "ракетный фейерверк" - одновременный запуск пяти геофизических ракет, с помощью которых ученые намерены изучить высокоскоростные потоки воздуха в верхних слоях атмосферы, говорится в сообщении на сайте аэрокосмического агентства.

Запуски в рамках проекта ATREX (Anomalous Transport Rocket Experiment) планируется провести в интервале с 14 марта по 4 апреля с испытательного центра на острове Уоллопс (штат Виргиния).

Ученые намерены запустить пять геофизических ракет типа Terrier трех разных модификаций, оснащенных специальными устройствами для создания хорошо заметных белых дымовых "хвостов". Движение дымовых следов в атмосфере позволят ученым следить за движениями воздуха на большой высоте. Две из пяти ракет, кроме того, несут приборы для измерения температуры и давления.

Высотными струйными течениями называют извивающиеся потоки очень сильных ветров на большой высоте. Существуют несколько типов струйных течений, которые располагаются на разных высотах. Так, течения на высоте от семи до 16 километров могут использовать летчики, чтобы сэкономить топливо.

Ракеты будут зондировать течения, находящиеся на самой границе космоса - на высоте около 95 километров. Скорость их достигает 300 - 480 километров в час, существенное влияние на них оказывают электрические токи в ионосфере.

Цитировать19 марта 2012 года в 14:05 UTC (18:05 мск) с ракетного полигона в Кируне (Швеция) специалистами Швдской космической корпорации совместно со специалистами Европейского космического агентства был осуществлен пуск геофизической ракеты Imp. Orion с полезной нагрузкой REXUS-12. В ходе полета проводились исследования и эксперименты в условиях микрогравитации. Максимальная высота подъема ракеты составила 82 км.

     - К.И.

ЦитироватьПять ракет НАСА для изучения "космического ветра" успешно стартовали

ЦитироватьМОСКВА, 27 мар - РИА Новости. Пять геофизических ракет НАСА, предназначенные для исследования высокоскоростных потоков воздуха на высоте 100 километров - на самой границе космоса, были успешно запущены с площадки испытательного центра НАСА на острове Уоллопс (штат Виргиния), сообщает американское аэрокосмическое агентство.

В рамках проекта ATREX (Anomalous Transport Rocket Experiment) использовали пять геофизических ракет типа Terrier трех разных модификаций с интервалами в 80 секунд.

На высоте около 80 километров они начнут высвобождать специальный реагент - триметилалюминий, который светится, вступая в реакцию с кислородом. Продукты реакции - оксид алюминия, углекислый газ и водяной пар - безвредны.

Наблюдения за яркими следами ракет позволят ученым понять, как двигаются воздушные потоки на больших высотах. За "хвостами" будут наблюдать камеры, установленные в Северной Каролине и Нью-Джерси.

http://ria.ru/science/20120327/607222577.html

Цитировать

ЦитироватьNext Launch  @nextlaunch
If you missed it: Launch of ATREX mission: http://youtu.be/iSXf2C8RKXU #ATREX #wallops
27 марта 12 в 13:02

"SUBORBITAL: March 27, 0858 UTC / 4:58am EDT - ATREX. 5 sub-orbital rockets in 80sec intervals".
Видео 22:24 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSXf2C8RKXU&feature=youtu.be)

ЦитироватьФото
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.191575794205863&type=3

...........

ЦитироватьSpaceLoft XL to Launch ORS Payloads from Spaceport America[/size]
Posted by Doug Messier
on April 1, 2012, at 6:15 am


by Michael P. Kleiman
377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — The SpaceLoft-6 sounding rocket will launch April 5, 2012, at Spaceport America, in Upham, N.M., with seven payloads, crucial for future Operationally Responsive Space missions, demonstrating its dependability and resilience during a 13-minute, 70-mile-high trek.

The ORS director explained the mission's significance.

"One of the ways we prove space-based range technologies of tracking the rocket through flight, knowing where it is at all times in case the flight has to be terminated due to trajectory issues, is to get multiple flights to validate that the systems work in flight. Orbital flights are rare and costly, so one of the ways we are getting that flight heritage is by flying these technologies on small sounding rockets, which is much more inexpensive and easier," said Dr. Peter Wegner.

ORS has contracted with UP Aerospace Inc. in Denver to employ its "SpaceLoft XL" rocket for the fourth time, but the launch vehicle's sixth flight on April 5 will mark the first time it will carry strictly Department of Defense-manifested payloads. Like the other three collaborations between ORS and UP Aerospace, the SL-6 mission involves a standard six-month contract-to-launch time frame and uniform integration processes for rapid, responsive and cost-efficient means to evaluate potential space hardware.

"The upcoming flight, SL-6, is going to demonstrate a number of the key technologies ORS is developing. One of the most important is the Global Positioning Metric Tracking System, also known as the "GPS Beacon," designed by Florida Tech, which we hope will record the position of the rocket all the way through its flight. We will also be demonstrating another GPS receiver, the Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast, developed by the Federal Aviation Administration and the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, which will independently obtain GPS data and transfer it through the telemetry string to the ground," Wegner said.

"The ORS-constructed Low-Cost Camera Demonstrator and NASA Ames Research Center's 'DroidSat,' built off of Android phone technology, will allow us to record separation events on the rocket. This is important to us because the ORS-3 mission scheduled for next year has 17 different payloads that will separate off that rocket during its trajectory," he said.

Two other ORS-provided payloads, the Hard Mount and Isolated Data Logger Experiments, will measure environmental conditions, such as vibration encountered by hardware during flight and recovery.

Finally, the University of Texas at Austin's Inertial Measurement Unit trial, using commercial, off-the-shelf technology, will acquire data from liftoff through re-entry.

"This suborbital launch allows us to explore the kind of approaches we would take for payload integration testing and flight for other missions," said Steven Buckley, ORS launch director for the SL-6 mission. "It's a great opportunity for us. It's quick and efficient, as well as allows us to do a lot of things in a less-costly environment before we go into a mission that might cost double-digit million dollars.

After reaching its near-space zenith, the SL-6 rocket will separate during its traverse back to Earth, and the seven trials, housed in two different compartments, will land about 33 miles from the liftoff site in the White Sands Missile Range.

Project staff will recover the reusable payloads, as well as retrieve and review acquired data from the brief suborbital trip.

"The goal of ORS is to be able to go from call-up to launch of a space system in a matter of days. We know the warfighters deployed around the world need access to imagery and communications capacity that many times can only be provided by space systems," Wegner said.

"Our job is to figure out how to get those systems up there — launched and delivered, placed on orbit, checked out and providing those capabilities to the warfighters. All of these technology demonstrations on the SL-6 mission are leading us to that end point."[/size]

ЦитироватьCIBER Mission Launched
03.22.12
 


 The Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment (CIBER) mission was successfully launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on Marrch 22, 2012 at 3 a.m. MDT. CIBER, an optical astrophysics payload for the California Institute of Technology, was flown on a NASA two-stage Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket (like the rocket pictured)[/size].

Цитировать5 апреля 2012 года в 14:18 UTC (17:18 мск) из космопорта "Америка" в штате Нью-Мексико специалистами компании UP Aerospace осуществлен пуск ракеты собственного производства SpaceLoft XL. Основной целью полета являлась отработка новых ракетных технологий. Максимальная высота подъема ракеты составила 117 км.

     - К.И.

ЦитироватьUP Aerospace Conducts Tenth Launch From Spaceport America[/size]
Posted by Doug Messier
on April 5, 2012, at 9:45 am


UP Aerospace SpaceLoft XL rocket. (File Photo)

Spaceport America, NM (NMSA PR) – New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA) officials announced the tenth launch from Spaceport America by UP Aerospace of Denver, Colorado. The liftoff of the sub-orbital sounding rocket took place from Spaceport America's vertical launch complex at approximately 8:18 a.m. (MST), within the dedicated, five-hour launch window. The rocket reached its sub-orbital altitude of 73 miles or 385,640 feet (117 km), accomplishing a new Spaceport America altitude record.

The launch was a non-public, unpublished event at the request of UP Aerospace, Inc. The primary payloads were Department of Defense (DoD) experiments. Additional payloads were carried for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the University of Texas and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

"This successful sub-orbital flight marks our tenth flight from Spaceport America, and we are excited to be delivering payloads for the DoD and other clients like the FAA and the University of Texas," said Jerry Larson, president of UP Aerospace, Inc.

"UP Aerospace has now been successfully operating from Spaceport America for over five years, and we look forward to hosting many more of their launches as we move forward. During Phase Two of spaceport construction, which is now underway, we are in the process of expanding and improving our Vertical Launch Complex to enhance service to valued customers like Up Aerospace," said NMSA Executive Director Christine Anderson.

All of the payloads aboard the rocket were scientific and engineering experiments. The primary customer for the launch was the DoD Operationally Responsive Space Office. More information about their payloads can be found at http://www.afmc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123296138. Another payload was designed, built, tested, integrated, and operated by a team of undergraduate students at the University of Texas, and is also part of the DoD Operationally Responsive Space Office payload program. The experiment was designed to compare the performance of various micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers to assess their suitability for use as support instruments in future payloads.

Another payload was flown in conjunction with the FAA Center of Excellence for Commercial Space Transportation, for which New Mexico State University is the administrative lead institution. This payload further tested the FAA's Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system for possible future use in management of airspace involved in space operations.

This most recent launch represents the expanding demand for launch services at Spaceport America, the nation's first purpose-built commercial spaceport. "This is our second launch this year at the spaceport, and we are extremely pleased to support our regular launch customers like UP Aerospace and Armadillo Aerospace as they conduct their sub-orbital launches from Spaceport America. We also look forward to hosting future NASA-funded 'Flight Opportunities' suborbital research launches coming up later this year. Spaceport America continues to set the precedent for safe, efficient, effective service for commercial spaceflight customers," said NMSA Executive Director Christine Anderson. This UP Aerospace launch marks the fifteenth vertical launch overall from the Spaceport America Vertical Launch Complex.
the fifteenth vertical launch overall from the Spaceport America Vertical Launch Complex.

ABOUT UP AEROSPACE, INC.

UP Aerospace was created in 1998 by founder Jerry Larson and incorporated in 2004 with its headquarters located in Denver, Colorado. UP Aerospace has been successfully conducting launches from Spaceport America in New Mexico with a total of ten launch campaigns from the spaceport: six of the SpaceLoft XL launch vehicle, and four additional launches of proprietary systems for Lockheed Martin and MOOG. The company's launch operations and SpaceLoft vehicles were designed and built from the ground up as a highly reliable, low-cost Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) system. Flight hardware reusability has been a key program requirement for the SpaceLoft XL launch program, enabling further advancements in low-cost space launch operations. UP Aerospace has successfully demonstrated and refined launch and integration services spanning over five years and 40 individual payload customers.

For more information, please visit: http://www.upaerospace.us.com/[/size]

Цитироватьkevin-rf пишет:

On the Wallops Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF ):

ЦитироватьThe next launch from the Wallops Flight Facility is scheduled for the early morning on June 21. A Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket will carry various education experiments through programs with the Colorado and Virginia Space Grant Consortia. This launch will only be visible in the Wallops area.

ЦитироватьLewis007 пишет:

A Terrier Improved Orion sounding rocket was launched from Wallops at 06:40 local time. On board were seventeen educational experiments as part of the RockOn! 2012 program.

The rocket carried the experiments to an altitude of 73 miles before impacting into the Atlantic Ocean off the Virginia coast. The experiments have been recovered and will be returned this morning to the program participants at Wallops so they can begin their data analysis.

source: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/news/post621.html

Video of the launch here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRdzErcfAN0

ЦитироватьLewis007 пишет:

A Black Brant IX sounding rocket was launch from White Sands at 19:30 UT. The flight's primary purpose was to provide an underflight calibration for the EUV Variability Experiment (EVE) instrument onboard the SDO satellite studying the sun (NASA 36.286, PI Tom Woods).

Based on the quicklook realtime data, all of the rocket EVE instrument channels appear to have made excellent solar EUV irradiance measurements. The two new soft X-ray spectrometers appear to have worked too. Detailed data analysis will be done to further analyze the quality of the rocket data and to produce a solar EUV irradiance reference spectrum that then can be used to calibrate the satellite SDO EVE and other solar EUV instruments.

Cameras onboard captured spectacular footage of the trip into space and back (see video).

source: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/eve-calibration.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBbSrjM4z9Q

Цитировать

On July 5, NASA will launch a mission called the Solar Ultraviolet Magnetograph Investigation or SUMI, to study the intricate, constantly changing magnetic fields on the sun in a hard-to-observe area of the sun's low atmosphere called the chromosphere.

Magnetic fields, and the intense magnetic energy they help marshal, lie at the heart of how the sun can create huge explosions of light such as solar flares and eruptions of particles such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). While there are already instruments – both on the ground and flying in space – that can measure these fields, each is constrained to observe the fields on a particular layer of the sun's surface or atmosphere. Moreover, none of them can see the layer SUMI will observe.

"What's novel with this instrument is that it observes ultraviolet light, when all the others look at infrared or visible light," says Jonathan Cirtain, a solar scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. and the principal investigator for SUMI. "Those wavelengths of light correspond to the lowest levels in the sun's atmosphere, but SUMI will look at locations higher in the chromosphere."

(http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/462977main_sun_layers_full.jpg)

This higher layer of the chromosphere is known as the transition region – because the chromosphere transitions here into the part of the sun's atmosphere called the corona -- and it is a region that is dominated by the magnetic fields and in which solar material heats up dramatically forming the corona and the base of the solar wind. Understanding the structure of the magnetic fields in this region will then allow us to understand how the corona is heated and how the solar wind is formed. It is also an area believed to be where flare accelerated particles originate, so understanding the processes at play in the transition region can help with models to predict such eruptions on the sun.

To measure magnetic fields in the chromosphere, SUMI will observe the ultraviolet (UV) light emitted from two types of atoms on the sun, Magnesium 2 and Carbon 4. Through established methods of measuring how the light is affected as it travels through the magnetic environment of the solar atmosphere towards Earth, scientists can measure the original strength and direction of the magnetic fields, thus creating a three-dimensional magnetic map of the region.

This trip for SUMI is largely a test flight to make sure the instrument works and to assess possible improvements. The instrument flew once before in July 2010 but experienced a much higher G-force than expected, which broke screws holding the main mirror in place so it could not gather accurate data. The team has now reinforced the mirror.

"With the knowledge we get from a successful SUMI mission, we can go on to build space-based instrumentation that will help us understand the processes that form flares and CME's and help us predict space weather," says Cirtain.

SUMI will launch from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico on a Black Brant rocket. The flight will last about eight minutes total.

Цитировать (http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/665638main_waiting-hi-c-orig_full.jpg)

Waiting for launch: NASA's HI-C mission, sitting in the front of this image, will launch on July 11, 2012 to observe the sun's corona in the highest detail ever captured during a 381-second flight. Credit: NASA

On July 11, NASA scientists will launch into space the highest resolution solar telescope ever to observe the solar corona, the million degree outer solar atmosphere. The instrument, called HI-C for High Resolution Coronal Imager, will fly aboard a Black Brant sounding rocket to be launched from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The mission will have just 620 seconds for its flight, spending about half of that time high enough that Earth's atmosphere will not block ultraviolet rays from the sun. By looking at a specific range of UV light, HI-C scientists hope to observe fundamental structures on the sun, as narrow as 100 miles across.

"Other instruments in space can't resolve things that small, but they do suggest – after detailed computer analysis of the amount of light in any given pixel – that structures in the sun's atmosphere are about 100 miles across," says Jonathan Cirtain, a solar scientist at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. who is the project scientist for HI-C. "And we also have theories about the shapes of structures in the atmosphere, or corona, that expect that size. HI-C will be the first chance we have to see them."

The spatial resolution on HI-C is some five times more detailed than the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) instrument on the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), that can resolve structures down to 600 miles and currently sends back some of our most stunning and scientifically useful images of the sun. Of course, AIA can see the entire sun at this resolution, while HI-C will focus on an area just one-sixth the width of the sun or 135,000 miles across. Also, AIA observes the sun in ten different wavelengths, while HI-C will observe just one: 193 Angstroms. This wavelength of UV light corresponds to material in the sun at temperatures of 1.5 million Kelvin and that wavelength is typically used to observe material in the corona.

During its ten-minute journey, HI-C will focus on the center of the sun, where a large sunspot is predicted to be – a prediction based on what the sun looked like 27 days previously, since it takes 27 days for the sun to complete a full rotation.

"We will start acquiring data at 69 seconds after launch, at a rate of roughly an image a second," says Cirtain. "We will be able to look through a secondary H-alpha telescope on the instrument in real time and re-point the main telescope as needed."

In addition to seeing the finest structures yet seen in the sun's corona, the launch of HI-C will serve as a test bed for this high-resolution telescope. Often one improves telescope resolution simply by building bigger mirrors, but this is not possible when constraining a telescope to the size of a sounding rocket, or even a long-term satellite. So HI-C's mirror is only about nine and a half inches across, no bigger than that of AIA. However, the HI-C mirrors, made by a team at Marshall, are some of the finest ever made, says Cirtain. If one could see the surface at an atomic level, it would show no greater valleys or peaks than two atoms in either direction.

"So it's super smooth," says Cirtain.

In addition, the team created a longer focal length – that is, they increased the distance the light travels from its primary mirror to its secondary mirror, another trick to improve resolution – by creating a precise inner maze for the light to travel from mirror to mirror, rather than a simple, shorter straight line.

NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center is leading the international effort for Hi-C. Key partners include the University of Alabama at Huntsville, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, University of Central Lancashire in Lancashire, England, and the Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Цитироватьjcm пишет:

Hi-C launched at 1850 UTC Jul 11. I've talked to the folks here who listened in by telecon. Flew as planned and got good data - 'better than SDO AIA', as hoped. Kudos to Jonathan Cirtain, Kellly Korreck et al!

ЦитироватьWALLOPS ISLAND, Va. -- NASA Space Technology Program researchers will launch and deploy a large inflatable heat shield aboard a rocket travelling at hypersonic speeds this weekend during a technology demonstration test from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Va.

NASA has four consecutive days of launch opportunities for the agency's Inflatable Re-entry Vehicle Experiment (IRVE-3), starting July 21, with the liftoff window from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. EDT each day.

The test is designed to demonstrate lightweight, yet strong, inflatable structures that could become practical tools for exploration of other worlds or as a way to return items safely to Earth from the International Space Station. During this technology demonstration test flight, NASA's IRVE-3 payload will try to re-enter Earth's atmosphere at hypersonic speeds -- Mach 5, or 3,800 mph to 7,600 mph.

"As we investigate new ways to bring cargo back to Earth from the International Space Station and innovative ways to land larger payloads safely on Mars, it's clear we need to invest in new technologies that will enable these goals," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program. "IRVE-3 is precisely the sort of cross-cutting technology NASA's Space Technology Program should mature to make these future NASA and commercial space endeavors possible."

The IRVE-3 experiment will fly aboard a three-stage Black Brant XI launch vehicle for its suborbital flight. The payload and the heat shield, which looks like a large, uninflated cone of inner tubes, will be packed inside the rocket's 22-inch-diameter nose cone. About six minutes after launch, the rocket will climb to an altitude of about 280 miles over the Atlantic Ocean.

At that point, the 680-pound IRVE-3 will separate from the rocket. An inflation system similar to air tanks used by scuba divers will pump nitrogen gas into the IRVE-3 aeroshell until it becomes almost 10 feet in diameter. Instruments on board, including pressure sensors and heat flux gauges, as well as cameras, will provide data to engineers on the ground of how well the inflated heat shield performs during the force and heat of entry into Earth's atmosphere.

After its flight, IRVE-3 will fall into the Atlantic Ocean about 350 miles down range from Wallops. From launch to splash down, the flight is expected to take approximately 20 minutes.

"We originally came up with this concept because we'd like to be able to land more mass and access higher altitudes on Mars," said Neil Cheatwood, IRVE-3 principal investigator at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. "To do so you need more drag. We're seeking to maximize the drag area of the entry system. We want to make it as big as we can. The limitation with current technology has been the launch vehicle diameter."

Cheatwood and a team of NASA engineers and technicians have spent the last three years addressing the technical challenges of materials withstanding the heat created by atmospheric entry and preparing for the IRVE-3 flight. The team has studied designs, assessed materials in laboratories and wind tunnels, and subjected hardware to thermal and pressure loads beyond what the inflatable spacecraft technology should face during flight.

This test is a follow on to the successful IRVE-2, which showed an inflatable heat shield could survive intact after coming through Earth's atmosphere. IRVE-3 is the same size as IRVE-2, but has a heavier payload and will be subjected to a much higher reentry heat.

IRVE-3 is part of the Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator (HIAD) Project within the Game Changing Development Program, part of NASA's Space Technology Program. Langley developed and manages the IRVE-3 and HIAD projects.

Journalists interested in attending the IRVE-3 launch at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility should contact Wallops Public Affairs Officer Keith Koehler at 757-824-1579 or keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov to arrange for media accreditation.

NASA TV will air the IRVE-3 launch live and stream it on the Web at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For more information about IRVE-3 and the HIAD Project, visit:   http://www.nasa.gov/hiad

ЦитироватьThe July 24, 2012 Degradation Free Spectrometers (DFS) sounding rocket mission's ultimate objective is to significantly advance the state of the art in short wavelength observing solar spectrometers to permit more detailed investigation and understanding of the physics, and hence behavior, of our dynamic sun. Such spectrometers must be capable of high cadence measurements of the highly variable Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) solar flux and have minimal degradation over multi-year time scales while observing the sun 24/7, in order to improve previous state of the art instruments such as the still active SEM instrument on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft launched in December of 1995.

The present flight will carry two newly developed spectrometers which meet the observational challenge and will be proven flight ready on the present mission and are discussed below. This is also a calibration flight. The mission carries a clone of the SOHO Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Monitor (SEM) which is calibrated at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, both before and after flight, to provide a calibration check on the on-orbit SEM. This on-orbit SOHO instrument is observing the sun from the La Grange point along the Earth-Sun line where the solar gravitational pull on the spacecraft is equal and opposite to the gravitational pull of the Earth. This position is about 1% of the distance from the Earth to the sun, or about one million miles from Earth, well outside the Earth's atmosphere and also outside the Earth's magnetic field. The current sounding rocket payload also carries rare gas ionization cells which integrate the solar flux over much of the EUV spectral range to provide independent absolute solar flux data, which will help to validate the underflight calibration data.

Launch is currently scheduled for July 24 1:11 p.m. MDT at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Цитировать24 июля 2012 года в 19:17 UTC (23:17 мск) с ракетного полигона "Уайт-Сэндс", шт. Нью-Мексико, США, специалистами NASA осуществлен пуск геофизической ракеты Black Brant-IX (полетное задание NASA 36.263US). Основной задачей пуска являлось изучение ультрафиолетового и рентгеновского излучения Солнца. Размещенное в возвращаемой капсуле оборудование было создано сотрудниками Южнокалифорнийского Университета под руководством Даррелла Джуджи (Darrell Judge). Максимальная высота подъема ракеты составила 324 км.

     - К.И.

ЦитироватьFuji пишет:

Launch was successful :D

-S-310-41 Launch test was successful (Japanese page)
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/j/topics/topics/2012/0807_s310-41.shtml

- Reentry Demonstration Plan of Flare-type Membrane Aeroshell for Atmospheric Entry Vehicle using a Sounding Rocket
http://gd.isas.jaxa.jp/~kzyamada/MAAC/2011/publication/2011_0525_AIAA-S-MAAC.pdf

-S-310 rocket
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/s310.shtml

Note:


fig02.jpg is 2 second after separation (from rocketcam).


fig03.jpg is 26 second after separation (from backside camera).

ЦитироватьGalactic Penguin SST пишет:

While the payload is still unknown (it could be even not a satellite and being launched on a sub-orbital trajectory), the CZ-2C at TSLC seems to be set for launch on September 1.

http://www.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=8057&pid=216952&fromuid=19646 (http://www.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=8057&pid=216952&fromuid=19646)

ЦитироватьThe first of two Terrier Lynx rockets was launched Sep 12 between 0000 and 0200 UTC:

http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/11/4810698/rocket-launch-completed-from-wallops.html

These launches are just referred to as 'for DoD' - does anyone have any more info? Some earlier Terrier Lynx launches were for the now-ended ABL program - not clear if these are Missile Defense Agency targets or
something for the Navy ...

ЦитироватьRocket Launch Completed from Wallops Flight Facility[/size]
By NASA
Published: Tuesday, Sep. 11, 2012 - 6:38 pm

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va., Sept. 11, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- A launch of Terrier-Lynx suborbital rocket was completed this evening for the Department of Defense from NASA's launch range at the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20081007/38461LOGO)

A second Terrier-Lynx is scheduled for launch between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m., September 15. The rocket may be visible to residents in the mid-Atlantic region.

A map showing the area in which the rocket launch may be visible is available at:

http://www.nasa.gov/wallops

This launch will not be shown live on the Internet nor will launch status updates be provided once the countdown begins. The NASA Visitor Center will not be open for viewing the launch.

SOURCE NASA

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/11/4810698/rocket-launch-completed-from-wallops.html#storylink=cpy[/size]

Цитировать2012 Sep 26
Kavoshgar 5 Bio-capsule Potential Launch
Kavoshgar LV, Semnan, Iran

Second attempt at a sub-orbital launch to about 120 km altitude of small payload including a Rhesus monkey. The payload is expected to land about 90 km downrange from the launch site. The payload carrier was tested during the Kavoshgar 4 mission 2011 March.

The original Kavoshgar 5 launch attempt failed and resulted in death of the test subject 2011 September. The nature of the failure is not known.

The date is approximate and should be treated as "No Earlier Than" - this entry will be updated when information becomes available.

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ЦитироватьSatori птшет:

Brazil launch a FTB (Foguete de Treinamento Básico) - Basic Training Rocket, from the Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara (CLA) - Alcântara Launching Center, on September 27 at 1111UTC. The launch was part of the 'Operação Falcão V' - Falcon V Operation that aims to test the means on the ground and the technicians, engineering and other professionals involved with this operational area.

The rocket reached a maximum altitude of 31.742 Km in a flight lasting 79 seconds. It took 166 seconds to reach the impact area located at 17.5 Km from the launch base.

jcm пишет:

One source says 1411 Brasilia time. Are you sure you got the sign right on the time zone correction?

Satori пишет:

You're right Jonathan, I didn't. It's 1711UTC.

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Цитироватьjcm пишет:

I hadn't paid attention to the FTB rocket before (it's endoatmospheric of course, but its sibling FTI is mesospheric)
I've added a launch list at http://planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/FTB
based on the wonderful data at the excellent brazilianspace.blogspot.com

Satori пишет:

You should also «read» this one http://panoramaespacial.blogspot.pt/

jcm пишет:

Thanks - it reminds me to mention the launch of HiFire 3 from Andoya
on a VS-30/Orion on Sep 13.

ЦитироватьSatori пишет:

A very interesting record of suborbital missions using Brazilian rockets can be found at http://brazilianspace.blogspot.pt/2012/10/a-historia-dos-foguetes-brasileiros-em.html . This is the complete list of all non-Brazilian missions launched from other countries.

This is in Portuguese, so if someone needs any help in translation just tell me.

ЦитироватьMAPHEUS-3: Flight-testing furnaces in microgravity

26 November 2012

There are very few ways of conducting experiments without the influence of Earth's gravity. One of these platforms became available on 25 November 2012, when a rocket was launched from the Swedish Esrange Space Center in Kiruna. The high-altitude sounding rocket MAPHEUS-3 (Materialphysikalische Experimente unter Schwerelosigkeit, Material Physics Experiments under Microgravity Conditions) of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) carried four experiments that were subjected to three and a half minutes of microgravity conditions during the flight. Among other things, the experiments involved melting metal samples in furnaces. The solidified samples were recovered on 26 November 2012 with the help of a snowmobile.

 "If we conduct these experiments on Earth, lift forces are exerted on the molten metals," explains Andreas Meyer from the DLR Institute of Material Physics in Space. "When we conduct experiments in microgravity, we can overcome these and observe physical processes without any interference." The small furnaces began heating the aluminium- rich alloys for the ATLAS diffusion experiment before the rocket was launched. Eighty seconds after MAPHEUS-3 lifted off, the various liquefied components mixed in microgravity. "This is a process about which we still know very little." The 'demixing' of molten metals was also a subject of study during the MAPHEUS-3 campaign. With the DEMIX experiment, scientists investigated the behaviour of copper-cobalt alloys during the melting process. "With the results of the MAPHEUS-3 flight, we can revise the existing models for this process and adjust them accordingly," states Meyer. "This demixing process is employed in industry – and so it is also of interest to this sector to test the current models."

 Fundamental research with a video camera

 For the MEGraMa experiment, researchers from the DLR Institute of Material Physics in Space filmed the impact behaviour of particles with a diameter of less than one millimetre. Four magnets accelerated the spherules in a controlled manner during the flight; in the meantime, a video camera recorded how the spherules lose energy as they collide with one another. "With this, we investigate the behaviour of granular gases," emphasises Institute Director Meyer. "This process is not yet fully understood."

 To prepare for the next flight campaign – MAPHEUS-4 – the rocket also carried a newly developed furnace that was subjected to microgravity conditions. Measuring just 40 by 40 by 20 millimetres, it will melt six samples during a flight scheduled for next year. "The smaller the furnace, the lower the amount of energy needed to heat it up." One advantage of this new furnace is that it is 'transparent' to X-rays, which enables the direct study of the changes in composition taking place in the interior of the liquefied metal samples.

 Recovered by a snowmobile

 The launch was performed by staff from DLR's MObile ROcket BAse (MORABA). "We are, to some extent, responsible for MAPHEUS' 'flight ticket'. In addition to the launch itself, this includes the provision of the launcher and rocket engines, which are developed in-house, as well as the overall integration of the rocket," explains DLR engineer Markus Pinzer. Microgravity was achieved 80 seconds after lift-off at an altitude of 100 kilometres; the rocket reached a maximum altitude of 140 kilometres. After the capsule was returned to Earth by parachute, a team quickly located it, with the experiments on board, and were able to recover it one day after its launch using a snowmobile. "The flight was very challenging, both scientifically and technologically," emphasised Project Manager Martin Siegl from the DLR Institute of Space Systems. "Complex development work on the experiments, a variety of tests and an intensive preparation phase all culminated in those few minutes of flight." Now it is time to evaluate the acquired data and analyse the resolidified metal samples.

ЦитироватьSatori пишет:

Brazil launch a FTI (Foguete de Treinamento Intermediário - Intermediary Training Rocket) from the Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara (CLA - Alcântara Launch Center). This launch was part of the Operação Iguaiba (Iguaiba Operation) initiated on November 19 with the objective of launching the VS-30/ORION V10 sounding rocket.

The FTI was launched at 1752UTC on November 29, reaching 52.39 km altitude at T+108 seconds. The flight traveled 82.58 km in 215 seconds.

ЦитироватьSatori пишет:

Brazil launched the VS-30/Orion V10 on December 8th at 2100UTC. The launch took place from the Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara – CLA. Launch had been delayed for 24 hours because of strong winds.

The rocket reached an apogee of 428.12 km and the total flight time was 11 minutes. Total distance traveled was 382.69 km.

ЦитироватьNASA's EUNIS Mission: Six Minutes in the Life of the Sun
12.11.12 

 NOTE: The EUNIS Mission has been delayed until some time in 2013 due to rocket and range issues.


Unlike a conventional image, NASA's Extreme Ultraviolet Normal Incidence Spectrograph will provide what's known as "spectra" such as above, which show lines to highlight which wavelengths of light are brighter than others. That information, in turn, corresponds to which elements are present in the sun's atmosphere and at what temperature. Credit: NASA/EUNIS



The EUNIS team stands in front of the sounding rocket before its second launch on Nov. 6, 2007. The mission will launch again for a six-minute flight to observe the sun on December 15, 2012. Credit: U.S. Navy In December, a NASA mission to study the sun will make its third launch into space for a six-minute flight to gather information about the way material roils through the sun's atmosphere, sometimes causing eruptions and ejections that travel as far as Earth. The launch of the EUNIS mission, short for Extreme Ultraviolet Normal Incidence Spectrograph, is scheduled for Dec. 15, 2012, fr om White Sands, N.M. aboard a Black Brant IX rocket. During its journey, EUNIS will gather a new snapshot of data every 1.2 seconds to track the way material of different temperatures flows through this complex atmosphere, known as the corona.

 A full study of the sun's atmosphere requires watching it fr om space, where one can see the ultraviolet, or UV, rays that simply don't penetrate Earth's atmosphere. Such observations can be done in one of two ways – send up a long-term satellite to keep a constant eye on the sun, or launch a less expensive rocket, known as a sounding rocket, for a six minute trip above Earth's atmosphere to collect data fast and furiously throughout its short trip up to an altitude of 200 miles and back.

 "Six minutes doesn't sound like much," says solar scientist Douglas Rabin who is the principal investigator for EUNIS at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. "But with an exposure every 1.2 seconds, we get very good time resolution and a lot of data. So we can observe minute details of how dynamic events on the sun happen over times of two to three minutes."

 Watching the sun at this kind of time cadence helps scientists understand the complex movements of solar material – a heated, charged gas known as plasma – as it heats and cools, rising, sinking and gliding around with every change in temperature. Adding to the complexity of the flows are magnetic fields traveling along with the plasma that also guide the material's movements.

 This writhing atmosphere around the sun powers an array of solar events, many of which stream out into the farthest reaches of the solar system, sometimes disrupting Earth-based technologies along the way.

 "Ultimately all of our research is geared toward addressing key outstanding questions in solar physics including how the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, is heated, what drives the solar wind, and how energy is stored and released to cause eruptions," says Jeff Brosius, a solar scientist at the Catholic University of America and a EUNIS co-investigator based at Goddard.

 But teasing out how this energy moves through the corona is not a simple process. Different types of observations and techniques must be combined to truly track how different temperature material courses around.

 The technique that EUNIS uses to observe the sun is known as spectroscopy. Taking pictures of the sun is one very useful form of observation, but it requires looking at just one wavelength of light at a time. A spectrometer on the other hand does not provide imagery, in a conventional way, but gathers information about how much of any given wavelength of light is present, showing spectral "lines" at wavelengths where the sun emits relatively more radiation. Since each spectral line corresponds to a given temperature of material, this provides information about how much plasma of a given temperature is present. Capturing many spectra during the flight will show how the plasma heats and cools over time. Each wavelength also corresponds to a particular element, such as helium or iron, so spectroscopy also provides information about how much of each element is present. Each spectrographic snapshot fr om EUNIS is based on light from a long, narrow sliver running across about third of the visible sun -- nearly 220,000 miles long.

 "Looking at a small slice of the sun at such fast time cadence means we can look at the evolution and flows on the sun in a very direct way," says solar scientist Adrian Daw, the instrument scientist for EUNIS at Goddard.

 Repeated sounding rocket flights offer significant advantages compared to orbital missions in terms of the measurement flexibility. Each separate flight can focus on the specific measurements that are most valuable, adjusting, as necessary, making improvements and emphasizing different aspects of the sun. Improving time cadence, for example, may be necessary to study the dynamics, however this inherently lim its the observational resolution as the instrument gathers less light for any given snapshot of data. This flexibility in emphasis for each flight greatly enhances the scientific return.

 This launch is the third for the EUNIS mission, but the tenth in a line of similar rockets wh ere the predecessor was named SERTS for Solar Extreme-ultraviolet Research Telescope and Spectrograph. On each flight the scientists turned their attention to focusing on a different aspect of their research. During this flight, the instrument will observe a band of extreme ultraviolet light with wavelengths from 525 to 630 Angstroms with better sensitivity and greater spectral resolution than any previous instrument. This set of wavelengths covers a wide range of temperatures, representing solar plasma at 45,000 to 18 million degrees Fahrenheit (25,000 to 10 million Kelvin) which includes the temperature ranges of material from near the sun's surface to the much hotter corona above. Since we do not yet understand why the corona gets hotter the farther it is from the sun – unlike, for example, a fire wh ere the air gets cooler farther away – studying such a wide range is crucial part for understanding that process.

 With a six-minute window, EUNIS is unlikely to see a specific large eruption on the sun such as a solar flare or coronal mass ejection (CME) but since the sun is currently moving into the height of its 11-year cycle, they do expect to see a fairly active sun.

 "The last two times EUNIS flew were in 2006 and 2007," says Daw. "Now the sun is waking up, getting more active and we're going to see a whole different type of activity."
 
Karen C. Fox
 NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center

ЦитироватьОпубликовано 29.01.2013

A Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket blasted off from Wallops Island today, January 29th 2013 at 22:50 UTC in support of a NASA mission. The rocket released coloured vapours which were filmed and will be analysed to see which is better to use for upcoming launches this year.

From NASA Wallops

http://youtu.be/G6u-Z92-JOM (http://youtu.be/G6u-Z92-JOM)

ЦитироватьVISIONS: Seeing the Aurora in a New Light
02.07.13

 UPDATE: VISIONS - A Successful Launch

  (http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/725323main_visions-launch-orig_full.jpg) › View larger (http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/725323main_visions-launch-orig_full.jpg)
 On the night of Feb. 6, 2013, a green aurora appeared in the Alaskan night sky. Conditions were finally right to launch VISIONS. Credit: NASA/Goddard/Chris Perry The VISIONS (VISualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral atom imaging during a Substorm) sounding rocket launched successfully at 3:21 a.m. EST on Feb. 7, 2013 from the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. Preliminary results show that it was a good flight and Douglas Rowland, the principal investigator for the mission at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. reported that he thought the data looked "fantastic."

ЦитироватьVISIONS: Seeing the Aurora in a New Light

A team of NASA scientists arrived in Poker Flats, Alaska at the end of January, 2013. The team is patiently waiting for the exotic red and green glow of an aurora to illuminate the sky. Instead of simply admiring the view, this group from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center of Greenbelt, Md., and The Aerospace Corporation of El Segundo, Calif. will launch a sounding rocket up through the Northern Lights. The rocket could launch as early as the night of Feb. 2, 2013, but the team has a two-week window in order to find the perfect launch conditions.

Armed with a series of instruments developed specifically for this mission, the VISIONS (VISualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral atom imaging during a Substorm) rocket will soar high through the arctic sky to study the auroral wind, which is a strong but intermittent stream of oxygen atoms from Earth's atmosphere into outer space. The rocket will survive only fifteen minutes before splashing down in the Arctic Ocean, but the information it obtains will provide answers to some long-standing questions.

VISIONS is studying how oxygen atoms leave Earth's atmosphere under the influence of the aurora. Most of the atmosphere is bound by Earth's gravity, but a small portion of it gets heated enough by the aurora that it can break free, flowing outwards until it reaches near-Earth space. The atoms that form this wind initially travel at about 300 miles per hour -- only one percent of the speed needed to overcome gravity and leave Earth's atmosphere.

The principal investigator for VISIONS, Goddard's Doug Rowland is providing images while the team prepares for launch.

VISIONS is a partnership between NASA Goddard and the Aerospace Corporation of El Segundo, Calif. The sounding rocket motors and payload support systems are provided by NASA Wallops Flight Facility, including NSROC, the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. The Poker Flat Research Range is operated by the University of Alaska under contract to NASA.

ЦитироватьLewis007 пишет:

 A Terrier-improved-Orion sounding rocket was launched from White Sands on Feb 15.

 The flight tested several technologies to improve pointing control and data collection capabilities during suborbital flights. The primary purpose of the mission was to verify the ground based command uplink equipment from when it was recently moved into a new facility at White Sands. The sounding rocket program also took this opportunity to test technology developments, as well as provide an educational experience for students at the White Sands Middle School.

 source: Wallops Facebook

 http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=575541629142609&set=a.220437381319704.76221.191575794205863&type=1&theater

Цитироватьblock51 пишет:

Цитироватьjcm пишет:

To complete block51's list, here is the full set of NASA sounding rocket code numbers

1   Aerobee 100  
 2   Arcon
 3   Nike Asp
 4   Aerobee 150
 5   Iris  
 6   Aerobee 300 (Aerobee-Sparrow)
 7   Argo E-5 Jason  (not flown)
 8   Argo D-4 Javelin (HJ Nike Nike Altair)
 9   Skylark
10   Nike Cajun
11   Journeyman (Sergeant-Lance-Lance-Altair)
12   Special Test
13   Nike Aerobee  (Aerobee 170)
14   Nike Apache  
15   Arcas
16   Astrobee 1500  (Aerojet Jr-Alcor)
17   Aerobee 350  (Nike/AJ60-91)
18   Nike Tomahawk
19   Black Brant IVA  
20   Bullpup Cajun
21   Black Brant VB/C
22   Black Brant IIIB
23   Astrobee D
24   M56A1  (A r i e s)
25   Astrobee F
26   Aerobee 200A
27   Nike Black Brant (BB8)
28   Nike Malemute
29   Terrier Malemute
30   Orion
31   Nike Orion
32   Nike Javelin
33   Taurus Orion
34   Taurus Tomahawk
35   Terrer Black Brant Nihka (BB10)
36   Terrier Black Brant (BB 9)
37   Viper 3A
38   Taurus Nike Tomahawk
39   Black Brant XI
40   Black Brant XII
41   Terrier Imp. Orion
42   Terrier Lynx
43   Talos-Taurus-Oriole
44   Talos-Oriole
45   Terrier-Oriole (Oriole II)
46   Terrier-Imp.Malemute
47   Terrier Oriole Nihka (Oriole IIIA)
48   Talos Terrier Oriole (Oriole III)
49   Talos Terrier Oriole Nihka (Oriole IV)

The NASA "12" special test series has included tests using rockets in the above list as well as Aerobee, Nike, Terrier and Taurus booster stages with dummy sustainers, and the Mesquito, Strypi, and Strypi 7AR rockets.

Цитироватьjcm пишет:

Perhaps worth mentioning here that there have been at least 20 Scud launches and 3 Fateh-110 launches in Syria between Dec 10 and Feb 22, launched by the Syrian regime mostly
from An Nasriyah near Damascus towards Aleppo, causing casualties in rebel areas.
The Scuds probably were mildly exoatmospheric over the 300 km range; not sure if the Fateh-110 goes as high.

Also the first flight of the Israeli Arrow 3 exoatmospheric missile defense interceptor was on Feb 25 from Palmachim.

And on Feb 13, a Terrier Oriole ARAV-B was launched from Kauai and intercepted by an Aegis SM-3.

Looking forward to some more NASA scientific launches!

ЦитироватьВ рамках данного заказа требуется поставить, установить и ввести в эксплуатацию техническое средство обеспечения предстартовой подготовки и запуска ракеты МН-300 в целях реализации мероприятия 8 (11) «Оснащение станций ракетного зондирования МР-30, п. Тикси, радиолокационными станциями для сопровождения ракет, приемной радиотелеметрической аппаратурой».

ЦитироватьSatori пишет:

On March 13th, Brazil launched the first Foguete de Treinamento Básico (FTB) - Basic Training Rocket - of 2013. Four launches of the FTB are planned for 2013.

The floght time was 2m 53s. The rocket traveled a distance of 18 km and reached 34 km high.

The launch was from Centro de Lançamento da Barreira do Inferno (CLBI), Parnamirim, - Barreira do Inferno Launch Center.

ЦитироватьGalactic Penguin SSTпишет:

China made another sub-orbital sounding rocket launch earlier today. The Tianying-3E rocket was launched from a base on Hainan island (*) at 21:55 UTC on April 4 and reached an altitude of 191 km. The rocket carried 1 kg of solid barium particles that were released at apogee, and the resulting barium clouds were observed by 3 ground observing sites and equipment on the rocket (a Langmuir probe and an electric field probe).

This is the first Chinese active release sounding rocket mission launched, and is part of the Meridian ionosphere monitoring program managed by the National Space Science Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Other participants of the launch includes the CAS Xian Optical Machinery Institute and Austria's University of Graz for the "Kunpeng-1" payload package and the Chinese Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology for the sounding rocket.

(*) The launch site has been reported as the "Chinese Academy of Sciences Hainan Sounding Rocket Launch Site", and is apparently located near the village of Fuke, Yaxing Town, Danzhou City, Hainan Island, at 19.52 deg. North and 109.14 deg. East.

Sources:
news.xinhuanet.com/2013-04/05/c_115276269.htm (http://news.xinhuanet.com/2013-04/05/c_115276269.htm)
http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=2200&pid=61732 (http://bbs.9ifly.cn/forum.php?mod=redirect&goto=findpost&ptid=2200&pid=61732)

ЦитироватьTY-3E探空火箭发射通告
各有关单位及船舶：
 国家863"空间环境垂直探测试验"探空火箭发射任务定于4月5日至10日执行， 为确保船舶航行安全及发射工作顺利进行，特通告如下：
 一、发射时间：
 4月5日至10日的其中一天，时间暂定为凌晨0540时至0630时之间。
 二、火箭残骸下落区域为以下5点依次连线的海域内：
 A、108°34′09″E /20°18′02″N；
 B、108°17′56″E /20°02′39″N；
 C、108°39′53″E /19°41′56″N；
 D、109°07′00″E /19°31′00″N；
 E、108°56′04″E /19°57′19″N。
 三、注意事项：
 各船舶应避免在火箭发射时间内穿越残骸下落区域，以策安全。
                                   2013年4月3日

ЦитироватьProspector answers LSP call

By Steven Siceloff Spaceport News Nano- and microsatellites built by students, businesses and research organizations can catch their own rides into space now that a California-based company is launching operational flights of a high-altitude rocket big enough to carry payloads high into the atmosphere.
Garvey Spacecraft Corp.'s Prospector 18 (P-18 )  has made four flights so far, including an operational mission last December that saw it carry a research payload for NASA's Ames Research Center and California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). The Long Beach, Calif.-based company is using the P-18 as a pathfinder for building a larger model that can reach orbit.
The development is important for NASA because it gives satellite builders a chance to fly high-altitude experiments before hitching a ride on a larger mission and rocket, said Garrett Skrobot of NASA's Launch Services Program who runs the CubeSat and Nanosat projects of the agency's ELaNa program, short for Educational Launch of Nanosatellites.
"Today, nanosat developers still depend on secondary ride opportunities to get to orbit," Skrobot said. "There are several operational issues with that approach. In response, with projects like this, we are taking the first steps with Garvey Spacecraft and other small launch vehicle developers to explore alternatives that could eventually lead to dedicated launch services that are tailored to the requirements of this market."
The High Altitude Launch Service contract paid for the December mission and another mission, scheduled to launch June 15. This flight will test the CP9/StangSat payload; a spacecraft being built by Merritt Island High School; Cal Poly's payload; a Rocket University experiment that is a product of Kennedy Space Center; and another research payload from Ames and a new lightweight nanosat carrier system.
The satellites in mind for the rocket are 4-inch squares that weigh about two pounds. Previously, they were carried inside a rectangular box fitted on larger rockets and sprung free into orbit once the main payload was deployed.
With a rocket fitted to the small satellite needs, though, more experiments and hardware also can be flown at a lower cost. The rocket's flight profile can be adjusted to meet specific needs of a research payload.


Photo courtesy of Kevin Baxter/Friends of Amateur Rocketry Inc.

The Prospector 18 suborbital reusable launch vehicle takes off last year during its first contracted launch performed for NASA's Launch Services Program

ЦитироватьTEXUS 50/51 RSS
Around six minutes of microgravity

The TEXUS programme started in 1977 and is carried out at Esrange Space Center jointly by DLR, EADS Astrium, Kayser Threde and SSC.
The project

The TEXUS project is a sounding rocket program with the primary aim to investigate the properties and behaviour of materials, chemicals and biological substances in a microgravity environment. The TEXUS program gives around six minutes of microgravity.
The TEXUS programme started in 1977 and is carried out at Esrange Space Center jointly by DLR, EADS Astrium, Kayser-Threde and SSC. SSC is responsible for the launch operations. The TEXUS campaigns are sometimes financed by ESA or jointly financed by DLR and ESA.
TEXUS 50/51

The rocket vehicle Skylark 7 was used very successfully for the first 25 years until the motor was no longer available. The Brazilian motor VSB-30 has been used for the TEXUS programme since 2005 and will be used to launch the TEXUS 50 and 51 payloads to around 270 km altitude.

General information
Launch site    Esrange Space Center
Launch date    TEXUS 50, Launched on April 12, 2013
Technical information
Rocket type    VSB 30 rocket
Nominal diameter    557 mm
Total weight TEXUS 50    2666 kg
 Total weight TEXUS 51    2654,4 kg
Apogee    ~261 km

ЦитироватьTEXUS 50 – Anniversary for Germany's sounding rocket programme

12 April 2013




Launch of TEXUS 50

It is the world's longest running rocket programme for conducting research in microgravity, and today it is celebrating an anniversary. Around 35 years after the launch of the first TEXUS mission in December 1977, the 50th TEXUS rocket was successfully launched into space from the Esrange Space Center near Kiruna in northern Sweden on 12 April 2013 at 06:25 CEST. The flight lasted 20 minutes, with six minutes of microgravity. A parachute then returned the scientific payload to the ground.  

The German Aerospace Center's (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) sounding rocket carried four German biology and materials research experiments to an altitude of 261 kilometres. The VSB-30 rocket was powered during its initial climb, which lasted a little over 30 seconds, and then continued its journey in free flight.

"The main payload on board the TEXUS 50 mission is the EML electromagnetic levitation facility developed in Germany," reports Otfried Joop, TEXUS project manager at the DLR Space Administration, adding: "It is being used by researchers at the DLR Institute of Material Physics in Space to conduct two experiments in which they can investigate the thermophysical properties and solidification behaviour of metal alloys, which are of great interest to industry. The scientists are investigating a nickel-zirconium alloy, as well as an aluminium-nickel compound that is used in aviation and other transport systems." Thanks to the TEXUS flight, the Cologne-based DLR researchers are acquiring highly accurate data for computer simulations that form part of modern industrial manufacturing processes.

At the University of Marburg, scientists want to use fungal sporophores to investigate the initial reactions of an organism to changes in gravity. How are these sensed and how quickly does the fungus react to the change in gravity and to microgravity? "The relatively long period the rocket spends in microgravity, and a built-in precision centrifuge, should enable the scientists to measure the kinetics and threshold value – that is, the minimum amount of gravity that the fungus needs to respond – for the first time," explains Joop.

In the second biological experiment on TEXUS 50, scientists from the University of Freiburg want to identify the genes and gene products (messenger RNA) that play a role in the perception and processing of gravity in plants. To do this, the flight is carrying seedlings of Arabidopsis Thaliana, a plant that has been used by researchers as a model organism since the 1940s due to its relatively simple genetic structure. "After the flight, the TEXUS seedlings will be compared to plants that remained on the ground," says Otfried Joop in summary. Among other things, the researchers will be looking for answers to the question of which classes of gene are activated or deactivated by changes in gravity.

Double campaign – two rockets in one week

"TEXUS 50/51 is also the first German double campaign since 1981," says Joop. One week after the anniversary mission, TEXUS 51 will be ready for launch on 19 April 2013 with four more experiments by German scientists:

Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology (Fraunhofer IISB) in Erlangen, the University of Freiburg and the University of Bayreuth have been studying the incorporation of particles during directional solidification of silicon crystals for photovoltaic cells, as part of the ParSiWal experiment. This is intended to clarify the mechanisms by which harmful silicon carbide particles are integrated into silicon crystals during the crystallisation process. The presence of silicon carbide (SiC) particles during the industrial production of silicon for photovoltaic cells hinders the mechanical processing of the product and reduces the efficiency of the finished solar cells. It is therefore important to prevent the integration of SiC particles into the silicon crystal. The particles are formed during crystallisation in a silicon melt that is contaminated with carbon. Gravity significantly influences the flow of the melt and causes the SiC particles to sink, as they are denser than silicon. In space, these gravity-induced effects are eliminated. This significantly reduces the complexity of the processes and simplifies their physical description. The results should ultimately contribute to an improvement in the quality and efficiency of solar cells.

The FOKUS experiment run by the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Munich should prove that the technology of a frequency comb is mature enough for applications in spaceflight. At the core of a frequency comb is a pulsed laser that is used to measure optical frequencies. This technology will be used in precision spectroscopy, for example when investigating trace gases in the atmosphere, in astrophysics, or in new, extremely precise atomic clocks for research missions or navigation. The frequency comb is a laser that was developed by the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in 1999. Theodor W. Hänsch shared the 2005 Nobel Prize for Physics in recognition of this work.

The SITI-2 medical and biological experiment, conducted by a group of scientists at the University of Magdeburg, should explain the mechanisms that lead to problems with the human immune system in microgravity – some astronauts suffer greatly from infections during long stays in space. For this reason, the TEXUS 51 flight will carry cell cultures in which the activity of genes in immune systems are set to be investigated using modern DNA chip technology. If the scientists confirm their suspicion that certain molecules in the cell membrane are responsible for the problems caused by microgravity, these results might lead to new approaches in the fight against long-term illnesses.

Finally, in the TRACE-3 material science experiment, run by the ACCESS research centre in Aachen, processes and structures that are important for the solidification of metal alloys will be analysed. The scientists will monitor this in, for example, a mixture of organic substances that solidifies like a liquid metal. The solidification process can then be observed directly, as the alloy is transparent. The data acquired should improve industrial casting processes.

Since 1977, throughout the TEXUS programme, some 300 scientific experiments have been carried out, 70 percent of these under contract to DLR, and around 30 percent under collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA). "This means that, in collaboration with other DLR flight facilities, TEXUS is an essential component for fundamental research in microgravity, and hence also for the preparation of long-term space experiments, possibly on the International Space Station," said Otfried Joop, summing up the programme.

ЦитироватьLewis007 пишет:

It's a busy time in sounding rocket land.
Three NASA rockets were launched during the past two weeks; a Black Brant IX (mission SLICE) on April 21, another Black Brant IX (mission EUNIS) on April 23, with both launches from White Sands.

On May 1, a Terrier Orion (mission MOSC) was launched from Roi-Namur, Marshall Islands. MOSC released a Samarium vapor creating a red cloud of charged particles in the ionosphere. Researchers from the Air Force Research Laboratory studied the cloud as it dispersed and its impact on radio transmissions sent from multiple locations.

Source: Wallops facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF

More info:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/news/slice.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/news/eunis.html

Photo set for EUNIS:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa_goddard/sets/72157633255000650/

ЦитироватьEVEX launch-May 7-Marshall Islands

The Equatorial Vortex Experiment (EVEX) was successfully conducted during early morning hours May 7 from Roi Namur, Republic of the Marshall Islands. A NASA Terrier-Oriole sounding rocket was launched at 3:39 a.m. EDT followed by the launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket 90 seconds later. Preliminary indications are that both rockets released their vapor clouds of lithium or trimethyl aluminum, which were observed from various locations in the area, and all science instruments on the rockets worked as planned. More information on EVEX can be found at http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/news/evex.html These were the second and third rockets of four planned for launch during this year's campaign in the Marshall Islands. The first and fourth rockets are supporting the Metal Oxide Space Cloud experiment (MOSC), which is studying radio frequency propagation. Photos by John Grant/NASA.

ЦитироватьMarshall Islands Sounding Rocket Campaign Completed
05.09.13
 
A NASA sounding rocket launches from the Marshall Islands.
A NASA Terrier-Improved Orion leaves the launch pad on Roi Namur, Republic of the Marshall Islands on May 9 (eastern time). This was the final rocket of four launches from the Marshall Islands site. Photo: NASA/John Grant

The launch of a NASA Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket at 3:23 a.m. EDT, May 9, from Roi Namur, Republic of the Marshall Island, brought to an end a very successful campaign studying ionospheric activity and its impact on radio, communication and navigation signals.

The final launch was for the Metal Oxide Space Cloud Experiment (MOSC). The rocket flew to more than 117 miles altitude and safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

At approximately 113 miles altitude the payload released a Samarium vapor cloud, which was seen at several observation sites in the neighboring islands. This allowed researchers from the Air Force Research Laboratory to study the cloud as it dispersed and its impact on radio transmissions.

In all, a total of 4 rockets were launched during the campaign. Two of the rockets were part of the MOSC experiment. The other two rockets were for the Equatorial Vortex Experiment or EVEX which looked at post-sunset solar storms.

ЦитироватьLewis007 пишет:

Rexus-13 (an Improved Orion sounding rocket) was launched from Kiruna at 06:00 local time on May 9, after a one-day weather delay.
Onboard were four student experiments: CERESS, MUSCAT, StrathSat-R and SOLAR.

http://youtu.be/QARohefnyPM (http://youtu.be/QARohefnyPM)

Also check out the video of the Space Sailors experiment on Rexus-14 (the action starts 60 seconds into the video).

http://youtu.be/vkqIoaSVnYo (http://youtu.be/vkqIoaSVnYo)

ЦитироватьLewis007 пишет:

Some more details provided by Esrange:
The student rocket REXUS 13 was launched from Esrange Space Center on May 9, at 04.00 UTC.

It reached an altitude of 83.1 kilometers and landed after 8 minutes of flight 40 km north of Esrange Space Center.
http://www.ssc.se/news-activities/all-news-archives/2013/rexus-13-launched-from-esrange-space-center

Also check out this video posted by the Muscat team of the four so-called FFUs being ejected from the rocket during the flight.

http://youtu.be/9p5seTgU010 (http://youtu.be/9p5seTgU010)

ЦитироватьNASA successfully launched the Far-Ultraviolet Off Rowland Circle for Imaging and Spectroscopy (FORTIS) experiment at 1 a.m. EDT, May 11, from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Science data was obtained and an assessment of the data is underway. The payload was recovered. FORTIS was launched on a NASA Black Brant IX sounding rocket and flew to an altitude of approximately 174 miles.

Source: NASA Wallops Facebook.
More info:
http://krieger.jhu.edu/magazine/v10n1/it-really-is-rocket-science/
http://hub.jhu.edu/gazette/2012/october/building-a-rocket-from-scratch

ЦитироватьLiss пишет:
Х-ха! Китайская АН объявила, что это был пуск высотной ракеты научного назначения.

 http://www.cas.ac.cn/ky/kyjz/201305/t20130514_3839206.shtml

Цитировать5月13日21时左右，我国科学家再次成功进行高空科学探测试验。本次试验利用高空探空火箭，通过朗缪尔探针、高能粒子探测器、磁强计和钡粉释放实验装置等多种科学探测有效载荷，对电离层、近地空间的高能粒子和磁场强度与结构进行了原位探测。
探空火箭是进行空间探测和科学试验的有效探测工具。利用探空火箭可以在高度方向探测大气各层结构成分和参数，研究电离层、地磁、宇宙线、太阳紫外线和X射线、陨尘等多种日-地物理现象。
此次试验在西昌卫星发射中心进行。经中科院国家空间科学中心初步分析表明，实验已获得了不同高度上空间环境垂直分布的第一手科学数据，达到了预期目的，为我国进一步开展自主空间环境监测、保障空间活动安全积累了宝贵的数据。

Гуглоперевод первого абзаца:

Цитировать21 o'clock on May 13, 2011, Chinese scientists have once again successfully test of high-altitude scientific exploration. This experiment the use of high-altitude sounding rockets, Langmuir probe, energetic particle detectors, magnetometers and barium powder release of experimental apparatus and other payload of scientific exploration, the ionosphere, the high-energy particles and magnetic fields of the near-Earth space strength and structure of the in situ detection.

В третьем абзаце сказано, что все научные задачи выполнены.
Коллеги на NSF иронизируют: типа, через несколько дней мы услышим, как огромная зондирующая ракета будет запущена в южную часть Тихого океана с отделением многочисленных научных зондов, собирающих ценную информацию о верхней атмосфере.

Параллельные темы:
 http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=31898.0
 http://bbs.9ifly.cn/thread-10614-1-1.html
 http://lt.cjdby.net/thread-1614118-1-1.html

Цитироватьinput~2 пишет:
Kunpeng-7 (鲲鹏七号- large bird 7) is the name of the launch vehicle developped by CASIC for this launch according to Xinhua (http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2013-05/15/c_124713022.htm)
AFAIU, Kunpeng-1 was a rain rocket which reached an apogee of 196.5 km on May 7, 2011 "setting a sounding rocket altitude record" (source (http://www.casic.com.cn/n103/n139/c902665/content.html) in Chinese)

ЦитироватьFinal Flight of Tiny Astrophysics Probe Slated for June 4
  By Brian Berger | May. 29, 2013


The higher altitude and longer observation time made possible by the Black Brant (above) comes at a price: CIBER is expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean about 640 kilometers off the Virginia coast and will not be recovered. Credit: NASA photo
 
 WASHINGTON ­— A tiny astrophysics probe is slated to make its fourth and final suborbital flight June 4 when it lifts off aboard a Black Brant 12 sounding rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, NASA announced May 29.
The Cosmic Infrared Background ExpeRiment (CIBER), a compact astrophysics observatory designed by Jamie Bock of the California Insitute of Technology, Pasadena, Calif., has been launched, recovered and recalibrated for reflight three times since 2009. All three of those launches took place at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., and involved smaller sounding rockets than the Black Brant 12 slated for next week's attempt. But the higher altitude and longer observation time made possible by the Black Brant comes at a price: CIBER is expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean about 640 kilometers off the Virginia coast and will not be recovered.
The night time launch — live coverage begins at 10 p.m. EDT on NASA's Ustream channel — may be visible to residents in the Mid-Atlantic region, NASA said. The back up launch dates are June 5-10.

ЦитироватьUP Aerospace to Launch Experiments at Spaceport America on June 21
             
Posted by Doug Messier
 
on June 5, 2013, at 1:34 pm in News
                                                         (http://www.parabolicarc.com/2013/06/05/up-aerospace-to-launch-experiments-at-spaceport-america-on-june-21/spaceloft_launch/)
 LAS CRUCES, NM (NMSA PR) — The New Mexico Spaceport Authority is excited to host a NASA Flight Opportunities Program launch conducted by UP Aerospace, Inc., at the Spaceport America Vertical Launch Complex on Friday, June 21. This will be the first sub-orbital NASA Flight Opportunities Program launch, and the 19th overall launch from Spaceport America.
The sub-orbital sounding rocket launch is part of the NASA Flight Opportunities Program, which is designed to provide suborbital payload launch opportunities for NASA and other government agencies, as well as for educational institutions and the private sector.
Some of the Flight Opportunities payload customers for this launch aboard the SpaceLoft (SL-7) rocket include: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Department of Defense (DOD), NASA, Celestis, Inc. and various schools.
"We are very excited to have student payloads on this NASA Flight Opportunities Program launch," said New Mexico Spaceport Authority Executive Director Christine Anderson. "Studying science and math in a classroom setting is very important but having the opportunity to see science and math-based experiments take flight is really inspiring."
Some of the student payload experiments are part of the NASA/New Mexico Space Grant Consortium (NMSGC) Summer of Innovation Launch and Learn Program. Participating schools include: La Academia de Delores Huerta Charter Middle School of Las Cruces, NM; Cobre High School of Silver City, NM; Camino Real Middle School of Las Cruces, NM; and Hot Springs High School of Truth or Consequences, NM. Other payloads on board were developed by New Mexico State University of Las Cruces, NM, and New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology of Socorro, NM.
NMSGC is staging a private event for the students in conjunction with the UP Aerospace Launch. Please visit the http://www.launchnm.com (http://www.launchnm.com/) for further information.
ABOUT SPACEPORT AMERICA:
Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial spaceport in the world. The launch complex, situated on 18,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Range in southern New Mexico, has been providing commercial vertical launch services since 2006. Spaceport America has hosted 18 vertical launches thus far. The New Mexico Spaceport Authority continues to work closely with its tenants, Virgin Galactic and SpaceX, and its other flight customers in support of the commercial space industry.

Цитировать20 июня 2013 года в 09:30 UTC с ракетного полигона на о Уоллопс, шт. Вирджиния, специалистами американского аэрокосмического ведомства в рамках образовательной программы NASA осуществлен пуск геофизической ракеты Terrier Imp. Orion (полетное задание NASA 40.106UO). Максимальная высота подъема ракеты составила 118 км.

ЦитироватьUniversity students and their instructors are now rocket scientists! A NASA Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket carrying experiments developed by students from across the nation successfully launched this morning at 5:30 a.m. EDT from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Participants are from in the RockOn and RockSat-C programs.

ЦитироватьTwo suborbital rockets were successfully launched 15 seconds apart on the morning of July 4, 2013, from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility as part of a study of electrical currents in the ionosphere. The project is designed to study a global electrical current called the dynamo, which sweeps through the ionosphere.
The launch of the Black Brant V rocket at 10:31:25 a.m. and the Terrier-Improved Orion at 10:31:40 a.m. were part of the Daytime Dynamo experiment, a joint project between NASA and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA.
The first rocket carried a payload that collected data on the neutral and charged particles in the ionosphere. The second rocket released a long trail of lithium gas to track how the upper atmospheric wind varies with altitude. These winds are believed to be the drivers of the dynamo currents.

ЦитироватьSounding rockets have been developed and launched by ISAS for more than 40 years. They have been dedicated to astrophysical observation, upper atmosphere exploration, space plasma physics, etc., for scientific research. Making use of these flight opportunities, ISAS engineering studies have also been conducted to demonstrate new vehicle systems such as attitude control systems, reentry flight technologies, recovery systems, new avionics, etc., some of which will be employed in the coming satellite launch vehicles and spacecraft. The community of micro-gravity utilization for both material research and life science also uses the sounding rockets.
 
 

Цитировать

	S-310	S-520	SS-520
Total Length	7.1m	8.0m	9.65m
Diameter	0.31m	0.52m	0.52m
Total Weight	0.7t	2.1t	2.6t
Summit Altitude	150km	300km	800km
Payload	50kg	95/150kg	140kg

 
S-310


The S-310 is a single-stage sounding rocket, 310 mm in diameter, and can reach an altitude of 150 km. In case of S-310, it is spun positively in the atmosphere to overcome resonance, and thus avoids continued resonance problems. It also corrects for attitude disturbance by aerodynamic damping. The spin is provided by twisted tail fins which cause 2.8 Hz spin to the body.
 The thrust programming is designed to peak in the early stage, and to keep the thrust level low in the latter half of burning time, when aerodynamic forces increase dramatically. This contributes to attaining increased summit altitude, and relieving aerodynamic heating by reducing dynamic pressure. The chamber is made of AISI 4340 steel. The CTPB composite propellant grain is single, and has axially two different wagon-wheel port configurations. Since the aftward portion of the grain is consumed earlier, a dual-thrust profile is given. Each tail fin is made of a solid titanium plate, and the ogive nose cone is made of FRP.
 In the payload bay is a yo-yo despinner system, which is actuated at 50 sec. after lift-off, to reduce the spin to 1 Hz during the observation period.
 The first flight of S-310 in January, 1975, was successful, and it has been launched at Kagoshima Space Center at Uchinoura, and Showa Base in Antarctica.
 
S-520
 
 
 The S-520 is a powerful single-stage rocket which is optionally equipped with three-axis attitude control and a recovery system. It has a capability for launching a 100 kg payload far above 300 km and provides more than 5 minutes for micro-gravity flight environments.
 The S-520 was developed to replace K-9M and K-10 type sounding rockets, and succeeded in doubling the payload capability of K-9M by applying high-performance propellant, optimum thrust program, and lightweight structure.
 The experience of S-310 was put to good use in the thrust programming and stabilization strategy of S-310, enabling quite stable flight performance since its first flight early in 1980.
 The merits of S-520, such as simplification of flight operation without staging, settlement of impact-related maritime safety, and reduction of launch cost, make the application of this sounding rocket more meaningful.
 The HTPB composite propellant grain is cast and molded in the case in the same way as the first stage of Mu launch vehicles. The propellant grain is single, and gives a dual-thrust profile similar to the S-310's. The forward portion of the grain has a seven pointed gear configuration and provides an initial period of high thrust, while the aftward portion with a simple tubular design sustains a lower level thrust period. The nozzle with an initial expansion ratio of 8:1 is designed to improve the effective specific impulse. The chamber is made of high tensile steel HT-140. For weight saving and heat resistance, the leading edge of the tail fins is made of titanium alloy and their body is an aluminum honeycomb sandwich plate with GFRP/CFRP laminated surface plates.
 Scientific instruments are stored inside the nose fairing made of GFRP, and common instruments are in the parallel section. As an option, an attitude control module or recovery module can be put into the part between common instruments and the rocket motor.
 The fourth flight carried out payload retrieval, and the third flight, launched later than the fourth, performed attitude control of the nose by the hydrazine side jet system. The attitude outside the atmosphere is stabilized by spinning with tail fins. The spin reaches 2.2 Hz at the last stage to be decelerated using a yo-yo despinner system.
 
SS-520
 
 
 The SS-520 is a two-stage rocket, the first stage of which comes from the main booster of the S-520, and has a capability for launching a 140 kg payload to an altitude of about 800 km.
 The SS-520 aims at reaching 800 km altitude, and at the same time, carrying out technological experiments concerning the development of a mini-satellite launch vehicle by adding the third stage atop. The first stage is stabilized aerodynamically by use of tail fins like the S-520.
 As the second stage is heavier than the head of S-520, the aerodynamic margin is secured more than ever. The whole motor case of the second stage is made of CFRP. The spin generated in the first stage is succeeded by the second stage, and it is utilized in the Rhumb-line control and spin stabilization.
 The SS-520 debuted in January, 1998, and ISAS has a plan to launch it from Spitsbergen, Norway, to send a payload into the cusp region of the geomagnetosphere.

Цитировать (http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/mt135.shtml) (http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/s310.shtml) (http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/s520.shtml) (http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/ss520.shtml)
 
 Unlike a satellite launch vehicle, a sounding rocket performs an observation mission during its flight in space before impact. It usually comprises one or two stages. When the experiment is completed, the rocket dives into the sea along with its observation instruments.
The observation instruments are usually fixed to the rocket's nose fairing and covered by a nosecone like a pointed hat for protection from aerodynamic heating. When the rocket reaches a given altitude, timer-fixed functions start to open the nosecone, extend antennas, sometimes release test samples for observation, and conduct other tasks to prepare for the planned observation. The observation starts before the rocket reaches its maximum altitude and ends before it splashes down in the sea.
While balloons cannot float above approx. 50 km, many satellites can fly over 250 km in altitude. Thus, only sounding rockets are capable of directly observing space between these two altitudes, which is called the mesosphere, thermosphere or ionosphere. Sounding rockets have been launched to discover phenomena unique to this region. Observation subjects are sel ected from proposals by researchers at universities and institutes across the country.
ISAS sounding rockets have been the pillar of Japan's space science, contributing to astrophysical observation, upper atmospheric studies, space plasma physics, etc. The ISAS engineering team is developing new flying-vehicle systems, including propulsion systems, attitude control systems, and re-entry, recovery and navigation technology. Sounding rockets are also used in microgravity experiments for material and life sciences. Offering quick response to planning, implementation and results of experiments, sounding rockets also show excellent flexibility in function and performance confirmation tests of the new observation instruments and technical elements that are expected to be loaded on future satellites and space explorers.
ISAS currently uses three types of sounding rockets: S-310, S-520 and SS-520. One or two are launched annually from the Uchinoura Space Center located at the eastern tip of the Ohsumi Peninsula, Kagoshima Prefecture. The S-310 was also used for observation in Antarctic exploration by the National Institute of Polar Research. The S-310 and S-520 were launched for direct observation of aurora in the Andoya Rocket Range, Norway. The SS-520 was launched fr om Spitsbergen Island, Norway, to study a magnetospheric region called the "cusp."

ЦитироватьA1899/13 - VOD-175(THUMBA) ACT. ROCKET TYPE RH-200. LAUNCHER COORD - 083159N 0765203E. DNG ZONE: A SECT OF RADIUS 85NM FM THE LAUNCHER BTN AZM ANGLES 190DEG AND 300DEG. GND - UNL, DLY 0830-1030, 06 OCT 08:30 2013 UNTIL 08 OCT 10:30 2013. CREATED: 24 SEP 13:15 2013

ЦитироватьA2277/13 - VOD175 ACT. ROCKET TYPE RH200 LAUNCHER COORD 083159N0765203E DNG ZONES : A SECT OF RADIUS 85NM FM LAUNCHER BTN AZM ANGLES 190 DEG AND 300 DEG ? VOD175A?.LAUNCHER SETTINGS : EFFECTIVE AZM 235 DEG EFFECTIVE ELEV 75 DEG. GND - UNL, 1200-1400 ON 21 AND 25 NOV, 21 NOV 12:00 2013 UNTIL 25 NOV 14:00 2013. CREATED: 18 NOV 08:06 2013

ЦитироватьA0460/14 - VOD-175 (THUMBA) ACT. ROCKET LAUNCH FROM VSSC (TERLS) WITH FLW DETAILS:- ROCKET TYPE RH200 WITH CHAFF INSTRUMENTED PAYLOAD. LAUNCHER COORD :083159N0765203E. DANGER ZONE : A SECTOR OF RADIUS 85 NM FM THE LAUNCHER BTN AZM ANGLES 190 DEG AND 300 DEG. LAUNCHER SETTINGS :EFFECTIVE AZM 235 DEG. EFFECTIVE ELEV 75 DEG. GND - UNL, 19 MAR 05:30 2014 UNTIL 19 MAR 07:30 2014. CREATED: 10 MAR 09:49 2014

Цитировать...due to poor science conditions, winds exceeding limits and boats in the hazard area

Цитироватьche wi пишет:
пуск Terrier-Improved Malemute перенесён на завтра

Цитировать...due to poor science conditions, winds exceeding limits and boats in the hazard area

ЦитироватьNAVAREA IV 485/14 
 WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
 VIRGINIA.
 ROCKETS.
 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 280400Z TO 280530Z JUN, 
 ALTERNATE 0400Z TO 0530Z 29, 30 JUN,
 01 AND 02 JUL 
 IN AREAS BOUND BY:
 A.37-50.1N 075-29.1W, 37-47.7N 075-21.2W, 
 37-47.0N 075-16.0W, 37-51.0N 075-15.3W, 
 37-51.1N 075-20.3W, 37-50.6N 075-28.6W. 
 B.37-26.8N 074-48.9W, 37-19.3N 074-08.6W, 
 37-59.2N 074-01.1W, 38-04.4N 074-39.4W. 
 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 020630Z JUL 14.//
 Authority: WALLOPS 261133Z JUN 14.
 Date: 
 Cancel: 02063000 Jul 14

ЦитироватьWALLOPS ISLAND, Va.—The flight of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility ended prematurely today at 4:36 a.m. EDT about 19 seconds after its launch.

Range controllers detected a flight anomaly with the second stage Improved Malemute motor; the vehicle flew to an altitude of 27,000 feet and impacted about one nautical mile downrange.

There were no injuries or property damage as the vehicle landed in the established hazard zone in the Atlantic Ocean, which was cleared prior to launch.

A NASA team will investigate the cause of the flight anomaly and more information will be released as it becomes available

ЦитироватьJ3089/14 - REF AIP SUP 080/14 ITEM 1,2,3 ROCKET S-310-43 WILL BE LAUNCHED LAUNCHING DATE/TIME : BTN 1400 AND 1430(UTC) ON 30 JUL 2014. SFC - UNL, 28 JUL 06:00 2014 UNTIL 30 JUL 14:36 2014 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 28 JUL 06:02 2014

ЦитироватьJ3245/14 - REF AIP SUP 081/14 ITEM 1,2,3 ROCKET S-520-29 WILL BE LAUNCHED LAUNCHING DATE/TIME : BTN 1000 AND 1030(UTC) ON 8TH AUG 2014. SFC - UNL, 06 AUG 06:42 2014 UNTIL 08 AUG 10:39 2014 ESTIMATED. CREATED: 06 AUG 06:42 2014

Цитировать!CARF 09/192 (KZNY A0747/14) ZNY AIRSPACE DCC SHARK-04 STATIONARY ALTITUDE RESERVATION WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS 3631N07240W TO 3631N07235W TO 3555N07235W TO 3555N07240W TO POINT OF ORIGIN SFC-UNL 1410010630-1410010900

A0748/14 - DUE TO MILITARY STATIONARY ALTITUDE RESERVATION SHARK04 WITHIN THE NEW YORK OCEANIC CTA/FIR, NEW YORK OCEANIC WILL NOT ACCEPT IFR FLIGHT WITHIN AN AREA DEFINED AS: 3631N 7240W, 3631N 7235W, 3555N 7235W, 3555N 7240W TO START POINT. AIRCRAFT CERTIFIED FOR RNP4/10 SHALL FILE ROUTES THAT AVOID THE ABOVE HAZARD AREAS BY A MINIMUM OF 25NM. AR9: CLOSED. SFC - UNL, 01 OCT 06:30 2014 UNTIL 01 OCT 09:00 2014. CREATED: 30 SEP 12:42 2014

NAVAREA IV 805/14
 WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
 VIRGINIA.
 ROCKETS.
 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 010630Z TO 010900Z OCT,
 ALTERNATE 120400Z TO 120630Z OCT IN AREAS BOUND BY:
 A. 37-50-35N 075-28-31W, 37-44-23N 075-14-49W,
 37-40-26N 075-11-27W, 37-37-40N 075-14-35W,
 37-40-08N 075-19-56W, 37-49-52N 075-29-19W.
 B. 35-48-39N 074-00-30W, 35-46-51N 072-50-53W,
 36-41-55N 072-51-30W, 36-44-52N 074-00-23W.
 2. CANCEL THIS MSG 120730Z OCT 14.//
 Authority: WALLOPS 181949Z SEP 14.
 Date: 
 Cancel: 12073000 Oct 14

ЦитироватьNAVAREA IV 822/14
 WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
 VIRGINIA.
 ROCKETS.
 1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 120400Z TO 120630Z OCT
 IN AREAS BOUND BY:
 A. 37-50-35N 075-28-31W, 37-44-23N 075-14-49W,
 37-40-26N 075-11-27W, 37-37-40N 075-14-35W,
 37-40-08N 075-19-56W, 37-49-52N 075-29-19W.
 B. 35-48-39N 074-00-30W, 35-46-51N 072-50-53W,
 36-41-55N 072-51-30W, 36-44-52N 074-00-23W.
 2. CANCEL NAVAREA IV 805/14, OPERATIONS POSTPONED.
 3. CANCEL THIS MSG 120730Z OCT 14.//
 Authority: WALLOPS 010740Z OCT 14.
 Date: 
 Cancel: 12073000 Oct 14

Цитировать台湾"国研院太空中心" 7日上午11时10分 在[屏东][九鹏]基地，成功发射[探空十号]火箭， 历经520秒后落入海中， 完成台湾南部上空90到286公里间大气电离层与热气层的动态测量，并传回数据。

7 октября в 11:10 местного времени специалисты Космического центра Национальной лаборатории прикладных исследований Тайваня произвели на базе Цзайпин (Jiupeng) в Пинтуне (Pingdong) успешный запуск высотной ракеты "Танькун-10". Полет продолжался 520 секунд. Бортовая аппаратура изучала динамику ионосферного слоя между 90 и 286 км.

ЦитироватьThree Terrier-Oriole suborbital "sounding" rockets were successfully launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, located in Virginia on Tuesday Feb. 24, 2015. The flights had been scheduled to take place on Monday, Feb. 23, and were conducted on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD). Those handling the flight had a four hour window in which to get the mission underway opening at 12:30 and closing at 4:30 a.m. EST (0530 and 0930 GMT).

ЦитироватьJun 25, 2015

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. - NASA officials say at 6 AM Thursday on Wallops Flight Facility, the NASA Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket successfully launched, carrying student experiments with the RockOn and RockSat-C program. More than 200 middle school and university students and instructors reportedly witness the launch as part of Rocket Week at Wallops.

Through RockOn and RockSat-C students are apparently learning and applying skills required to develop experiments for suborbital rocket flight. In addition, middle school educators are reportedly learning about applying rocketry basics in their curriculum through the Wallops Rocket Academy.

The next launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility is scheduled between 6 and 10 AM on July 7th, of a Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket.

ЦитироватьВАШИНГТОН, 7 июля. /ТАСС/. Американские специалисты осуществили сегодня запуск ракеты Black Brant IX ("Блэк Брант-9" ;) , предназначенной для испытания новых технологий освоения космического пространства. Об этом сообщило Национальное управление по аэронавтике и исследованию космического пространства (НАСА).

В ходе непродолжительного суборбитального полета осуществлена проверка двух видов технологий, разработанных в исследовательских центрах космического ведомства США в штатах Калифорния и Огайо. Один из них предназначен для "пассивного сведения объектов с орбиты", другой - для "передачи тепловой энергии", сообщили ранее в ведомстве.

Black Brant IX относится к классу зондирующих ракет, используемых для изучения различных явлений в верхних слоях атмосферы, в том числе в ионосфере Земли, а также испытаний новых приборов и механизмов. Такие ракеты летят по параболической траектории и выводят полезную нагрузку в космическое пространство всего на 5-20 минут. Однако специалисты считают, что с учетом невысокой скорости на самом верхнем отрезке пути они создают идеальные условия для научных экспериментов.

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops ‏@NASA_Wallops  (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) · 2h ago (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/618363805412798464)

Launch of the Black Brant IX occurred at 6:15 a.m.

ЦитироватьThe Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency（JAXA）launched the S-520-30 sounding rocket from the Uchinoura Space Center on September 11 (Fri.), 2015, with the objective of "clarifying the nucleation process of oxide-based cosmic dusts". The flight went smoothly, and the S-520-30 dropped into the south eastern ocean off Uchinoura.

With this experiment, the first sounding rocket experiment in Japan fiscal Year 2015 has been completed. We would like to express our profound appreciation to all related parties and personnel who have been cooperating with the launch of the S-520-30 sounding rocket.

The experiment of the S-520-30 this time aims at clarifying the nucleation process of oxide-based cosmic dusts. We evaporated oxides under the micro-gravity environment by ballistic flight of the S-520-30, and directly measured the generation and growth process of oxide particles that were condensing after the evaporation. For the measurement, we use two kinds of equipment: a dual-wavelength interferometer and an on-site measurement instrument of floating dust infrared spectra. More detailed analysis will be performed at each university.

Launch time (JST): 8:00:00 p.m.
Elevation angle: 78 degrees
Observation start: 53 seconds after liftoff
Highest altitude reached: 312 km (283 seconds after liftoff)
Splashdown time: 550 seconds after liftoff

ЦитироватьOctober 7, 2015; CHINCOTEAGUE, Va. — NASA successfully launched a sounding rocket Wednesday evening from its Wallops Flight Facility, the first launch from the site since an Antares rocket exploded shortly after liftoff Oct. 28, 2014.

The mission is designed to test new technology, with the aim of making future space missions less expensive and less risky, officials say.

The suborbital Black Brant IX sounding rocket flight will test the performance of the Black Brant motor in a two-stage configuration. Scientists also will be testing a new method of fabricating the payload that creates the most forward part in one step. The conventional machined and welded construction process is costly, adds weight and introduces more risk, according to NASA.

ЦитироватьПо предложению НИИ биофизики, ракеты серии T-7A-S подняли в стратосферу двух собачек — Сяо Бао («Леопардик», 14.07.1966) и Шань Шань («Коралл», 28.07.1966).

ЦитироватьChinese Academy of Sciences successfully launched a new sounding rocket, "Kunpeng-1B," in Hainan Danzhou early Wednesday. The rocket reached a flight height of 300 kilometers for the first time. Its arrow configuration of altitude control system and carbon fiber stretching rod are being used for the first time in China.

This is the first time Kunpeng 1B's arrow configuration of altitude control system and carbon fiber stretching rod has been used on a sounding rocket in China. It makes the detector more flexible and lightweight.

The rocket's falling ball experiment detection for further study of low latitudes in the ionosphere and in the upper atmosphere has important scientific significance. Compared to other space detection methods, sounding rockets are cost effective and have short development cycles.

"In the 13th Five Year Plan, we are planning to launch one or two every year from this site. In the future, we may also develop a special probe. This will also recycle, as its recovery can open doors for life science experiments and microgravity science experiments," said Wu Ji, Director of National Space Science Center.

ЦитироватьChina launches Kunpeng-1B sounding rocket

 China has successfully launched the Kunpeng-1B sounding rocket from a launch pad in Danzhou City in the southern Chinese Hainan Province.

 The research rocket, which is due to take measurements in the upper atmosphere and help with high-speed flight and space tourism research, was launched at 2 a.m. local time (18:00 GMT Tuesday) by China's National Space Science Center (NSSC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the Xinhua news agency reported.

 The rocket reached a maximum height of 316 kilometers (196 miles), with the total flight time coming to 10 minutes.

 Sounding rockets are low-cost launch vehicles designed to carry scientific instruments that take measurements during the rocket's sub-orbital flight. China first launched a Kunpeng-1 rocket in April 2013.

ЦитироватьAn experiment to measure nitric oxide in the polar sky was successfully launched on a NASA sounding rocket at 8:45 a.m. EST, Jan. 27, 2017, from the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska.

The Polar Night Nitric Oxide experiment or PolarNOx was launched on a Black Brant IX sounding rocket to an altitude of nearly 176 miles.  Preliminary information shows that good data was collected.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops  (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 1 ч назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/837371277644021761)
 
Three NASA rockets carrying instruments into active auroras over Alaska were launched March 2. http://go.nasa.gov/2mxEarm  (https://t.co/QOMee2uy31)
 

ЦитироватьMarch 2, 2017
 
 Three Rockets Launched within Hours Explore Auroras over Alaska
 

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/lynch_2_launch_img_9602_chris_perry.jpg)
 The final NASA sounding rocket of three on March 2 is launched into an aurora over Alaska.
Credits: NASA/Chris Perry

[свернуть]

Three NASA rockets carrying instruments into active auroras over Alaska to aid scientists studying the northern lights and the interactions of the solar wind with Earth's upper atmosphere and ionosphere were launched within a nearly two-hour period March 2, 2017.

The instruments were successfully carried on Black IX sounding rockets from the Poker Flat Research Range north of Fairbanks. The first two rockets were launched nearly simultaneously at 12:41 a.m. and 12:42:30 a.m. EST as part of the Neutral Jets in Auroral Arcs mission. The third rocket launched at 2:50 a.m. EST was part of the Ionospheric Structuring: In Situ and Groundbased Low Altitude StudieS or ISINGLASS mission.

Спойлер

Preliminary reports indicate that data was received from instruments aboard all three rockets.

Phil Eberspeaker, chief of the Sounding Rocket Program Office, said, "The ability to successfully launch these three rockets is a testament to the capabilities of the range, science and sounding rocket teams.  Great coordination is required to institute the complex countdown required to prepare and launch three rockets in a short period.  The team did a fantastic job executing these launches."

Neutral Jet scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, explain that electric fields drive the ionosphere, which, in turn, are predicted to set up enhanced neutral winds within an aurora arc. This experiment seeks to understand the height-dependent processes that create localized neutral jets within the aurora.

Flying the two similar payloads simultaneously to different altitudes provided researchers unprecedented vertical measurements within an aurora. The first rocket flew to an altitude of 205 miles of above the Earth and the second flew to 118 miles.

The third rocket, flown to 227 miles altitude, was preceded by another ISINGLASS launch on Feb. 22. As with the first rocket, the payload included the deployment of a sub-payload and also several instrumented deployable canisters.  The use of these various miniature subsystems and the main payload will give researchers a multipoint view of spatial structures within the aurora.

Kristina Lynch, ISINGLASS principal investigator from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, said, "The visible light produced in the atmosphere as aurora is the last step of a chain of processes connecting the solar wind to the atmosphere.   We are seeking to understand what structure in these visible signatures can tell us about the electrodynamics of processes higher up."

The three rockets launched were part of five launched in January through March from the Poker Flat Research Range (http://www.pfrr.alaska.edu/), operated by the University of Alaska Fairbanks, to study auroras. The Polar Night Nitric Oxide mission, from Va. Tech in Blacksburg, flew successfully on January 27.

The five launches from Alaska are supported through NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home) at Wallops Island, Virginia, which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (http://www.nasa.gov/goddard) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations for the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

Header image caption: Two NASA sounding rockets are launched 90-seconds apart into an active aurora from the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. Credit: NASA/Terry Zaperach

[свернуть]

Keith Koehler
 NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia
 
Last Updated: March 2, 2017
Editor: Patrick Black

Цитировать Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589  (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 32 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/842260174081560577)
 
Meanwhile in the Swedish Arctic, the Swedish/German REXUS 21 payload was launched to 86 km on an Improved Orion rocket at 1043 UTC Mar 15

Цитировать Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589  (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/842370068747042816)

The REXUS 22 rocket was launched at 1300 UTC Mar 16 from the Swedish ESRANGE launch site to around 80 km altitude, a day after REXUS 21

Цитировать Human Spaceflight‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaspaceflight (https://twitter.com/esaspaceflight) 4 ч. (https://twitter.com/esaspaceflight/status/848881635944779777)

Countdown to Thursday: #Maxus9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Maxus9?src=hash) launch. 5 experiments sent to the edge of space from Sweden. More to come and follow @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) for updates

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 5 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/849574572663984128)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch attempt tomorrow, aiming for launch 09.00 LT (07.00 UTC). Count-down starts 02.20 LT #Esrange (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Esrange?src=hash)

  Human Spaceflight‏Подлинная учетная запись @esaspaceflight (https://twitter.com/esaspaceflight) 3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/esaspaceflight/status/849597499379724288)

Launch is scheduled for tomorrow at 07:00 UTC from Esrange launch facility in #Sweden (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sweden?src=hash) http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/04/Taking_it_to_the_Supermax ... (https://t.co/VpBS1R51zU)

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/849613462242295808)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) Flight Readiness Review completed. ESA has given their consent to proceed to count-down!

ЦитироватьTaking it to the Supermax



DOWNLOAD HI-RES (http://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2017/04/taking_it_to_the_supermax/16886733-1-eng-GB/Taking_it_to_the_Supermax.png) PNG (http://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2017/04/taking_it_to_the_supermax/16886733-1-eng-GB/Taking_it_to_the_Supermax.png) (45.88 kB) (http://www.esa.int/var/esa/storage/images/esa_multimedia/images/2017/04/taking_it_to_the_supermax/16886733-1-eng-GB/Taking_it_to_the_Supermax.png)
   
Details (http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/04/Taking_it_to_the_Supermax#)
Title Taking it to the Supermax

Released 04/04/2017 2:36 pm

Copyright Vorticity Ltd

Description

What better way to test supersonic parachutes than strapping one to a rocket? One experiment is going to do just that on Thursday's Maxus-9 suborbital rocket.
The SUpersonic Parachute Experiment Ride on MAXus, or Supermax, is being given a piggyback on Maxus-9, lifting off from Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden on 6 April. Sounding rockets are launched to the edge of space and free fall back to Earth, allowing experiments to run in weightlessness before landing.
In the case of Supermax, the test vehicle is hitching a ride. Unlike the other experiments, the capsule will detach after the Maxus solid-propellant motor burns out. It will travel separately to the highest point of 715 km before falling back under the pull of gravity to reach twice the speed of sound. The 1.25 m-diameter supersonic parachute will then deploy at an altitude of 20 km to stabilise it for a soft landing. An onboard computer will record data and images.
Supermax aims to demonstrate the use of suborbital rockets as platforms for testing supersonic parachutes. Researchers from the UK's Vorticity Ltd and Fluid Gravity Engineering Ltd have already run experiments in wind tunnels. Though effective, wind tunnels and some rockets are expensive to employ. Piggybacking on a sounding rocket could be a more cost-efficient approach for testing future supersonic parachutes.

Id 375603

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 4 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/849897974612324352)

Low clouds all day prevents flight control from visually following the #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) rocket's flight the first kilometres. CD cancelled for today
 
  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/849930308761915393)

It so happens that #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) count-down will start once again today at 23.50 LT, for launch tomorrow at 06.00.

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 17 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850036492730859520)

With inputs from 1900H met briefing, the targeted #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch time is 0930 LT (0730 UTC) 7 April. Overcast skies will clear up by then.

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850188082150342656)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) count-down:2 hrs HOLD at T-4H. We wait for best chanses for clear skies, for the crucial selection of the 2 hrs launch window.

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850188595939786752)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) met briefing says a weak front will pass in the morning. Clear up again around mid-day. We need 3 km height visibility for safety

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 10 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850221672095297540)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) Countdown is running again. Launch is targeted for 1130 LT, (0930 UTC). The weak front passes by 0900 LT

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 9 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850222150883475456)

EMP antenna operator is focused on #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch!


  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 10 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850221917680181248)

#Esrange (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Esrange?src=hash) TM station is in operation, for #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 17 мин.17 минут назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850263857004109826)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch tower will be moved into launch position. This is a unique opportunity to shoot pictures - from the distance of course!

SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 12 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850264732762202113)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) warning sirens are sounding at T-1H

SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 6 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850266152525639680)

#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) rocket with motor and paylad is in openair! first light! :-)

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 28 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850271686674923521)

There is a room for possible hold at T-30M for #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) campaign. But it will not be used. Launch 11.30LT

Спойлер

SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 27 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850272029920051201)

All systems look good for #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash). Warning sirens are sounding again

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 25 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850272643227860995)

Presently last check of Paykoad is at T29M . At T-8 Minutes we have POINT OF NO RETURN for #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) experiments.

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 16 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850274802451464193)

T.20M: Sky clears up at #Esrange (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Esrange?src=hash), there are some blue patches above us fpor #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch. Nice!

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 12 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850275697411018752)

The view from main building to launching area is beautiful on a #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch day like this


  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 10 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850276142368018432)

T-14M for #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch. No personell may be outdoors from now on.

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850277479566589952)

T-7M50S: We have passed the T-8 M: POINT OF NO RETURN for #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) launch.

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850278224693035008)

T-5M: #MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) will be launched in 5 minutes. The tweets will take a pause and come back after Lift-off.

[свернуть]

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850279595005796352)

Lift off!

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 54 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850279791190212608)

T+1M 10S Motor burnout #MAXUS (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS?src=hash) 9

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 28 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850279901622001664)

T+1M 25S Motor separation #MAXUS (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS?src=hash) 9

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 20 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850279933670817792)

T+1M 30S Separation of SuperMAX experiment

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 20 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850279933670817792)

T+1M 30S Separation of SuperMAX experiment
 
  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 13 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850279965933416448)

T+1M 35S Start of micro gravity

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850281408589430784)

T+7M40S Apogee reached Should be just under 700 km

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850282956098859008)

#MAXUS (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS?src=hash) 9 End of micro gravity at T+13M42S

Цитировать SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 41 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850283526037659648)
 
#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) parachute is out, working at T+16M

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 39 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850284213794459648)
 
#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) payload hanging in parachute


  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 7 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/850292539232055297)
 
#MAXUS9 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAXUS9?src=hash) payload has landed long ago. Experiments seem to have 100% success and SuperMAX landed too. Payload Recovery operations starts

Цитировать SSC‏ @SSCspace (https://twitter.com/SSCspace) 6 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSCspace/status/850301544549556225)

MAXUS 9 was launched at 11:30 local time today from #Esrange (https://twitter.com/hashtag/Esrange?src=hash) Space Center.

ЦитироватьEurope's largest sounding rocket successfully launched from Esrange
 
07 Apr 2017

Today MAXUS 9, Europe's largest sounding rocket for experiments in micro­gravity, successfully lifted off from SSC's (Swedish Space Corporation's) launch facility Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden.

The rocket was launched at 11:30 local time and carried nine scientific experiments and a techno­logy demonstrator, altogether 579 kg, to an altitude of 678 km which enabled slightly more than 12 minutes and of stable microgravity, 10-5 g. The payload landed safely with a parachute within the impact area and has been recovered by helicopter. The rocket engineers will then disassemble the payload to enable for the scientists to perform further analyses of their experiments.

Спойлер

One of the main purposes of the different experiments is to investigate different materials and processes in microgravity. One example is the XRMON-Diff2 experiment module developed by SSC. By using a unique X-ray radiography, samples of the metal alloys Al-Ti and Si-Ge will be studied during the microgravity phase. The sel ected alloy systems are of industrial relevance and by observing them in in clean microgravity conditions, important benchmark values for ground-based experiments will be obtained and thereby contributing to the improvement of solidification models.

"Sounding rockets from Esrange Space Center are a key platform for research providing an important, cost-effective and independent means for Europe to carry out specific experiments with a relatively quick turnaround of results. The researchers are pleased with the results so far and will now focus on further analyses of their experiments, says Mr. Antonio Verga, System Engineer at ESA".

" MAXUS is not only Europe's largest sounding rocket; it is also a guided rocket. Providing launch services for MAXUS demonstrate that SSC has the competence and potential to further raise the level of our advanced space services through launches of small satellites fr om Esrange, says Lennart Poromaa, Site Manager at Esrange."

The MAXUS sounding rocket program is a joint venture between SSC and Airbus, funded by ESA. Several other space companies are involved such as DLR, OHB and RUAG Space.

Read more about MAXUS 9 here (http://www.sscspace.com/missions-projects/ongoing/maxus9) 

At ESA (http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Research/Maxus-9_provides_a_little_microgravity)

For more information, please contact:

Lennart Poromaa, Site Manager Esrange Space Center, SSC, Tel. +46 70 564 54 77

Anna Rathsman, CTO - Chief Technology Officer, SSC, Tel +46 70 2630064

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьOn May 5, 2017, scientists will launch a sounding rocket (https://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/f_sounding.html) 200 miles up into the atmosphere, where in just five minutes, it will take 1,500 images of the sun. The NASA-funded RAISE mission is designed to scrutinize split-second changes occurring near the sun's active regions — areas of intense, complex magnetic activity that can give rise to solar flares, which eject energy and solar material out into space.
...
The launch window for RAISE opens at 2:25 p.m. EDT at the White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The precise timing of the launch depends on weather conditions, and coordinated timing with other space observatories such as NASA's SDO and IRIS, as well as the joint Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency/NASA's Hinode.
...

ЦитироватьMay 4, 2017
 
 NASA-Funded Sounding Rocket Will Take 1,500 Images of Sun in 5 Minutes
 
 
Updated May 5, 4:38 p.m.

RAISE Successfully Rises

The Rapid Acquisition Imaging Spectrograph Experiment or RAISE was successfully launched at 2:24:58 p.m. EDT, May 5.  The payload was launched on a NASA Black Brant IX sounding rocket at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and flew to an altitude of 184 miles  The experimenter, Don Hassler with the Southwest Research Institute, reported that good data fr om the instruments observing the sun was received during the flight. The payload is being recovered.

Спойлер

On May 5, 2017, scientists will launch a sounding rocket (https://www.nasa.gov/missions/research/f_sounding.html) 200 miles up into the atmosphere, where in just five minutes, it will take 1,500 images of the sun. The NASA-funded RAISE mission is designed to scrutinize split-second changes occurring near the sun's active regions — areas of intense, complex magnetic activity that can give rise to solar flares, which eject energy and solar material out into space.

Several missions continuously study the sun — such as NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sdo/main/index.html), or SDO, and the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory, or STEREO (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/stereo/mission/index.html) — but certain areas of the sun demand especially high-cadence observations in order to understand the rapid changes occurring there. That's where RAISE — short for Rapid Acquisition Imaging Spectrograph Experiment — comes in.
 
(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/dscn4154_raise_completes_testing.jpeg)
The RAISE payload, partially enclosed in a clean tent, is shown after completion of testing before going to the launch pad.
Credits: Amir Caspi, Southwest Research Institute
 
"Dynamic processes happen on all timescales," said Don Hassler, principal investigator for the RAISE mission at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado. "With RAISE, we'll read out an image every two-tenths of a second, so we can study very fast processes and changes on the sun. That's around five to 10 times faster than comparable instruments on other sounding rocket or satellite missions."

RAISE images are used to create a data product called a spectrogram, which separates light from the sun into all its different wavelength components. By looking at the intensity of light at each wavelength, scientists can assess how solar material and energy moves around the sun, and how that movement evolves into massive solar eruptions.
 
(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/shortrockettest16.gif)
RAISE goes through a spin-balance test in the Sounding Rocket Payload Facility at the White Sands Missile Range.
Credits: Amir Caspi, Southwest Research Institute/Joy Ng, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
 
"RAISE is pushing the limits of high-cadence observations, and doing so is challenging," Hassler said. "But that's exactly what the NASA sounding rocket program is for."

The flight of a sounding rocket is short-lived, and has a parabolic trajectory — the shape of a frown. Most sounding rocket flights last for 15 to 20 minutes, and just five to six of those minutes are spent making observations from above the atmosphere, observations that can only be done in space. In RAISE's case, the extreme ultraviolet light the instruments observe can't penetrate Earth's atmosphere. After the flight, the payload parachutes to the ground, wh ere it can be recovered for use again.

This will be the RAISE mission's third flight, and the scientists have continuously updated its technology. For the upcoming flight, they have refurbished the detectors and updated the flight software, and the payload carries a new diffraction grating, which reflects light and separates it into its separate wavelengths.

The launch window for RAISE opens at 2:25 p.m. EDT at the White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The precise timing of the launch depends on weather conditions, and coordinated timing with other space observatories such as NASA's SDO and IRIS, as well as the joint Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency/NASA's Hinode.

RAISE is supported by NASA's Sounding Rocket Program at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. NASA's Heliophysics Division manages the Sounding Rocket Program.
Related Links

[/li]
• More about NASA's sounding rocket program   (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/index.html)
  

By Lina Tran (mailto:kathalina.k.tran@nasa.gov?subject=Re%3A%20NASA-Funded%20Sounding%20Rocket%20Will%20Take%201%2C500%20Images%20of%20Sun%20in%205%20Minutes%20)
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (http://www.nasa.gov/goddard), Greenbelt, Md.

[свернуть]

Last Updated: May 5, 2017
Editor: Rob Garner

Цитировать NASA_SLS‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_SLS (https://twitter.com/NASA_SLS) 12 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_SLS/status/862731470678491137)

Sounding rocket @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) will test 24 experiments & new technologies that could support science missions: https://go.nasa.gov/2pogtUm  (https://t.co/CmIs7ZJfYm)

ЦитироватьMay 11, 2017

Sounding Rocket Mission May 16 Providing Real-World Test for New Technologies

New rocket and spacecraft technology can be tested on the ground, such as in labs.  However, in some cases a new technology needs to be flight tested to see how it performs in the "real-world" environment.

A NASA sounding rocket launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on May 16 will provide the flight testing needed for 24 experiments and new technologies.

The launch of a 56-foot tall Black Brant IX rocket is scheduled between 5:45 and 6:40 a.m. EDT and can be seen by residents on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland. Backup launch days are May 17 - 19.

Спойлер

Cathy Hesh, technology manager for the sounding rocket program office at Wallops, said, "Sounding rockets are not only used for conducting science missions but also provide an excellent platform for technology development.  While the flight is short in duration, enough flight time is provided to test the new technologies."

The SubTec-7 mission will test technologies, many of which were developed at Wallops, to improve the capabilities of sounding rockets for supporting science missions and also those that may be applied to spacecraft.

The primary goal of the flight is to test two capabilities for sounding rocket missions to improve payload recovery systems. The first is a shutter door system that will allow recovery of a telescope payload in water environments, expanding the capabilities for science research.

For example, launches from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific Ocean would allow telescope observations from the southern hemisphere.  Currently, telescope missions are limited to land recovery locations such as the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, providing viewing from the northern hemisphere.

The second goal of the flight is to update the electronic and mechanical systems of the current recovery system whose heritage dates back to the 1970s. These updates also will decrease the system's length and weight, which will allow for comparable increases in science instruments that can be flown.

The nearly 1,200-pound payload is planned to be recovered. After an approximate 17-minute flight, the payload is expected to descend by parachute and land in the Atlantic Ocean about 106 miles from Wallops Island, Virginia.

In addition, electrical and other components are being tested, many for flight qualification, that will improve sounding rocket payload capabilities. These include a solar sensor, low cost star tracker, power supply, timer, command and uplink stack, receiver transmitter, inertial measurement unit and a solid state altimeter.

Also, three packages are being flight tested under NASA's Space  Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development program. These tests include a carbon nanotube Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessel, a joint effort by NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama; a CubeSat test of ultra-lightweight materials from Orbital ATK, Dulles, Virginia; and a Mars Packing Efficiency Payload from NASA Langley.

The NASA Visitor Center (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter) at Wallops will open at 5 a.m. on launch day for viewing the flight.  The rocket launch is expected to be seen throughout Chesapeake Bay region.

Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 5:15 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops) site. Launch updates also are available via the Wallops Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) sites. Facebook Live coverage begins at 5:30 a.m.
  
...

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations for the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

...

Keith Koehler
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov (mailto:keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov)
757-824-1579

[свернуть]

Last Updated: May 11, 2017
Editor: Patrick Black

Цитировать Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 6 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/863260468911251461)

German @DLR_de (https://twitter.com/DLR_de) suborbital payload, MAPHEUS 6, counting down for launch on a Brazilian VSB-30 rocket at the Swedish @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) launch site

  SSC Rockets Balloons‏ @SSC_Rockets (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/863324228711567361)

#ESRANGE (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESRANGE?src=hash) #MAPHEUS6 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAPHEUS6?src=hash) Apogee at 254.2km

1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/863329731340644352)

#ESRANGE (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESRANGE?src=hash) #MAPHEUS6 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAPHEUS6?src=hash) Payload reentry and parachute phase successfully ended, payload is at ground.

1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/SSC_Rockets/status/863330117275332608)

#ESRANGE (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESRANGE?src=hash) Recovery team gears up to retrieve the payload. In parallel, #MAPHEUS6 (https://twitter.com/hashtag/MAPHEUS6?src=hash) crew get together, start evaluating data and observations

Цитировать Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 31 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/863403221724917761)

The MAPHEUS 6 microgravity suborbital mission was launched at 0920 UTC May 13 on a VSB-30 rocket to apogee of 254 km.

ЦитироватьLaunch: Mapheus 6 2017-05-13
  (https://www.youtube.com/user/SwedishSpace)
 (https://www.youtube.com/user/SwedishSpace)
Swedish Space Corporation (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0sW3RDR2fDmt-EW9XxGuIQ)

Опубликовано: 13 мая 2017 г.

Цитировать (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=NEWSFEED)
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf) 1 ч (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/a.220437381319704.76221.191575794205863/1656098174420277/?type=3) ·

Good morning for a rocket launch from Wallops Island. Launch time 5:45 a.m.
(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/a.220437381319704.76221.191575794205863/1656098174420277/?type=3)

Цитировать NASA Wallops ‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 45 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864411837823164416)

T-20 minutes and counting for the launch of a Black Brant IX sounding rocket.

38 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864413915144499200)

T-10 minutes and counting fro the launch of Black Brant IX. Launch is expected to be visible from the eastern shore Virginia and Maryland

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 35 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864415884982575104)

T-2 minutes and counting for launch of Black Brant IX. Launch at 5:45 a.m.


35 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864416142206664705)

T-1 minutes. Launch at 5:45 a.m. This is last update before launch of Black Brant IX.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 37 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864416508965003264)

Lift off of Black Brant IX

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 37 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864417935032557568)

SubTec-7 Mission, Black Brant IX launches from Wallops Island. More info about the launch experiments, click https://go.nasa.gov/2pogtUm (https://t.co/gZctUouE6I)

  NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 34 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864418356488802304)

Our view of Black Brant IX launch, 7 miles from launch site. Got any pics? Share with us!

ЦитироватьBlack Brant IX launches SubTec-7

   (https://www.youtube.com/user/SciNewsRo)
SciNews (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjU6ZwoTQtKWfz1urL7XcbA)

Опубликовано: 16 мая 2017 г.

A Black Brant IX sounding rocket launched the SubTec-7 mission from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on 16 May 2017. The SubTec-7 mission tested technologies to improve the capabilities of sounding rockets.

Цитировать NASA Wallops ‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/864473242635038720)

Cool pic from the Black Brant IX launch at Wallops.

Цитировать Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 18 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/864533177842487298)

NASA's SubTec-7 suborbital technology payload, flight NASA 36.317GP, launched at 0945 UTC from Wallops Island to 248 km apogee.

17 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/864533395824574464)

SubTec-7 tested improved sounding rocket recovery systems. Splashed in Atlantic 170 km out and was successfully recovered

ЦитироватьScienceCasts: NASA's Sounding Rockets
 
   (https://www.youtube.com/user/ScienceAtNASA)
ScienceAtNASA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKt6dYzHqHfpcp1lgj4bl1A)

Опубликовано: 16 мая 2017 г.

Sounding rocket missions can often be the key to getting a quick answer to a tightly focused science question.

ЦитироватьMay 16, 2017

Nanotechnology Flight Test: Material Impact on the Future

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/copv_subtec-7_pic2.jpg)
A carbon nanotube Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessel (COPV) is to fly this month as part of the SubTec-7 mission using a 56-foot tall Black Brant IX rocket launched fr om NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Shown here is the SubTec7 payload undergoing final testing and evaluation at Wallops Flight Facility.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/copv_manufacturing_pic3.jpg)
NASA worked with industry partner, Nanocomp of Merrimack, New Hampshire to produce carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers to fabricate a carbon nanotube Composite Overwrap Pressure Vessel.
Credits: Nanocomp

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/copv_0387.jpg)
Tensile strength tests were performed in advanced of the flight test to help engineers predict the loads the article could experience before failing.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/copv_0390.jpg)
A demonstration flight article is wound with carbon nanotube composites.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/copv_tank_close_out_prior_to_flight.png)
COPV tank snug inside sounding rocket.
Credits: NASA

[свернуть]

Спойлер

Mastering the intricacies of controlling matter at the nanoscale level is part of a revolutionary quest to apply nanotechnology to benefit industrial processes. A key element of that technology is the use of carbon nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes are small hollow tubes with diameters of 0.7 to 50 nanometers and lengths generally in the tens of microns. While ultra-small, carbon nanotubes offer big-time attributes.

For instance, materials can be manufactured that exhibit superior strength but are still extremely lightweight. Think in terms of 200 times the strength and five times the elasticity of steel. For good measure, add in that they offer highly-efficient electrical and thermal conductivity.

[свернуть]

Reduce mass, improve performance

Спойлер

No wonder then that NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) is keenly interested in nanotechnology – an approach that can reduce the mass and improve the performance of aerospace systems.

For example, NASA computer modeling analysis has shown that composites using carbon nanotube reinforcements could lead to a 30 percent reduction in the total mass of a launch vehicle.

"No single technology would have that much of an impact to reduce the mass of a launch vehicle by that much," explains Michael Meador, Program Element Manager for Lightweight Materials and Manufacturing at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. "I'm not trying to be cliché, but that is a game changer!"

[свернуть]

Flight testing
Soon-to-fly hardware will test the tensile properties of a carbon nanotube fiber-based composite tank over that of conventional carbon fiber epoxy composites. A Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel – COPV for short – will take to the skies aboard a sounding rocket launched from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on May 16.

"We're going to use the COPV as part of a cold-gas thruster system," Meador explains, noting that this involves moving the rocket's payload during its flight, as well as spinning up the payload to improve the rocket's aerodynamics during its descent to Earth. "We are one experiment in that payload, but it's a pioneering flight. This is first time that carbon nanotube-based composites have been flight-tested in a structural component," he said.

NASA-industry collaboration

Спойлер

The COPV project has involved several NASA centers – Glenn Research Center, Langley Research Center, the Marshall Space Flight Center – as well as industry.

NASA collaborated with Nanocomp in Merrimack, New Hampshire to make nanotube yarns and sheets, with the space agency developing specialized processing methods to fabricate COPVs.

"We were interested not just in developing high-strength composites from carbon nanotube yarns but also in demonstrating their performance by building an actual component and flight testing it," Meador adds. "The COPV flight test will go a long way in showing that these materials are ready for use in future NASA missions."

[свернуть]

Nanotube yarns

Спойлер

The suborbital rocket flight of a COPV is a first step, explains Emilie Siochi, a research materials engineer at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. "This COPV represents the first large item that we've built" by turning nanotube yarns into composites. Early on at the start of the initiative, she says carbon nanotube fiber material was only available in small quantities. That needed to change.

"We had to improve the properties, improve the quality and the quantity," Siochi points out. The NASA-industry relationship was invaluable to scale up the material for space agency use, she says, and qualifying the COPV for a flight test has assisted in maturing the technology too.

"There's potential for the structural properties of carbon nanotubes to be much stronger than carbon fiber composites, now the state of the art for structural material," Siochi says. "So if it's stronger, we'll be able to build lighter structures needed for access to space."

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Investment payoff

Спойлер

Meador sees a bright and long-lasting future for carbon nanotube materials.

"When we first started to get into nanotechnology research we were looking at wh ere did it make sense for NASA to invest...where could a huge payoff be for the agency, be it in weight savings, performance, or reduced power consumption," Meador suggests.

There's more work to be done in terms of improving the material's mechanical properties, as well as fabricating the yarn fiber in quantities to make it competitive with conventional carbon fiber.

"There's a big payoff, not just for aerospace applications," Meador observes. Use of carbon nanotube materials, say in cutting down the weight of ground transportation vehicles, could lead to a huge savings from less fuel consumption and also lessening carbon dioxide emissions. Likewise, the insertion of the technology into aircraft is another area that deserves further attention, he adds.

"We're not looking at magic materials. Rather, we're finding that when you get down to the nanoscale, there are certain features of materials at that scale that give rise to new properties, new physics that you don't see above that scale," Meador concludes. "And that's what it's all about. Seeing how you can control and exploit those properties."

For more information on NASA's work in nanotechnology, see this episode of NASA EDGE about how this technology is being used in sensors and various materials. It is high risk, high reward:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a2WBmvoXlI

[свернуть]

Last Updated: May 16, 2017
Editor: Loura Hall

ЦитироватьMay 24, 2017

Student-Made Mars Rover Concepts Lift Off

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2017-e01024_0.jpg)
Virginia Tech students watch a Black Brant IX sounding rocket with their Mars rover concepts take off from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Credits: NASA/Allison Stancil

Witnessing a rocket launch is a special occasion. Watching a rocket launch with materials you made go up into the sky is priceless.

That's how it felt for researchers from NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and students from Virginia Tech and the University of Central Florida as they watched a sounding rocket launch on Tuesday, May 16 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. On board: Mars rover concepts designed by the students.

"Very few students get the opportunity to design something, put it on a NASA rocket and fly it," said Jamshid Samareh, ‎research engineer at NASA Langley's Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate (SACD), who assisted the students.

Funded through NASA's SACD Internal Research and Development (IRAD) program, the project saw more than 30 Virginia Tech students and one Central Florida student conceptualize, design and build 3-D printed test models of deployable Mars rovers.

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/lrc-2017-h1_p_jamshidsamareh-041903.jpg)
NASA Langley research engineer Jamshid Samareh poses with a scaled design of a Mars rover concept made by the students in the project.
Credits: NASA/David C. Bowman

The Mars rover concept has its roots in recreational vehicles that have elements that can fold, going with the theme that collapsible items make for easier transport to Mars. This concept has pop-out sections like RVs that would deploy once on Mars.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/picture412.jpg)
Students at Virginia Tech are pictured working an assembling their Mars rover concept.
Credits: Courtesy of Ian Stewart

"It's always fun when practical solutions necessitate creativity – not to mention it always looks cool!" said Central Florida student J.T. Madigan.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/img-1319372097.jpg)
NASA Langley research engineer Jamshid Samareh, left, poses with Virginia Tech students after the successful rocket launch.
Credits: Courtesy of Jamshid Samareh

The test models were launched on a 56-foot-tall Black Brant IX sounding rocket as part of the SubTec-7 payload mission.

The Mars RV rover concepts were part of the nearly 1,200-pound payload, which flew to an altitude of about 154 miles before descending by parachute and landing in the Atlantic Ocean to be recovered. SubTec-7 provided a flight test for more than 20 technologies to improve sounding rocket and spacecraft capabilities.

A sounding rocket's overall time in space is brief, typically five to 20 minutes, and at a lower speed than vehicles designed to go into orbit or beyond. The short time and lower speed are more than adequate (in some cases they are ideal) to carry out a successful scientific experiment.

Solving a packaging problem

Samareh has worked on many projects in his time at Langley, and says that getting materials to the Red Plant safely and efficiently is one of the bigger challenges.

"Part of the problem we keep running into is packaging," he said. "We have to carry a lot of payloads – rovers, habitats and such. We want to package them on top of the launch vehicle."

That problem-solving drive led to teams of undergraduate and graduate students from Virginia Tech and Central Florida to work on this project on campus with the support of Langley researchers.

The researchers and students designed 18 Mars rover concepts using Computer-Aided Design, or CAD, software.  Four of those designs were fabricated, assembled and tested before they were delivered to Wallops for flight on the sounding rocket.

"I have always thought of mass to be the limiting factor in space travel," said Virginia Tech student Alex Matta, who was also the team's graduate advisor. "Participation in this project led me to realize that minimizing volume of the cargo is important as well."

"A rover is one the big pieces that we want to be able to see if it can be packaged in any way," Samareh said.

The objective of the project is to develop rigid and deployable Mars rover concepts to improve lander packaging efficiency and aerodynamic stability during entry, descent and landing, and aerocapture, which is a flight maneuver that inserts a spacecraft into orbit around a planet or moon by using the destination's atmosphere like a brake.

Previous concepts for rovers on Mars from decades ago were not the sleek designs of today – they were big, bulky and heavy, something Samareh did not want to recreate.

"They're not realistic," he said. "They cannot be efficiently packed."

Evolution of the deployable Mars rover design started simple and changed to meet certain requirements, such as the height, width and weight needed to fit on a launch vehicle while taking up as little space as possible.

"Real estate on any type of launch is valuable, so I think it's awesome that such a novel project was given the opportunity to flight test hardware," Madigan said.

Samareh encouraged the students to come up with all of the crazy ideas they could so they could pick a few and specifically work on them.

"They come up with these ideas that I cannot come up with," he said. "They have a different mentality. That worked out nicely."

The Mars RV rover concepts also received recognition outside of NASA, winning first place in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Region I Student Paper Conference for the Undergraduate Team category in April.

When all was said and done, seeing the students' faces at the launch at Wallops was "the biggest payoff," Samareh said, adding that there is not only value in the designs, but also in getting students involved with NASA and motivated on a deeper level for space flight.

"There are things we learned from them," he said, "and there are things they learned from us."
 

Eric Gillard
NASA Langley Research Center

[свернуть]

Last Updated: May 24, 2017
Editor: Eric Gillard

ЦитироватьNASA Sounding Rocket will Release Early Morning Artificial Clouds Lighting up the Mid-Atlantic Coast May 31

Press Release From: Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.wff.nasa.gov/)
Posted: Wednesday, May 24, 2017



The early morning skies along the mid-Atlantic coast will light up with luminescent clouds as NASA tests a new system that supports science studies of the ionosphere and aurora with a sounding rocket launch May 31 from the Wallops Flight Facility on the eastern shore of Virginia. Backup launch days are June 1 through 6.

During the flight of a two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket between 4:25 and 4:42 a.m. EDT, ten canisters about the size of a soft drink can will be deployed in the air, 6 to 12 miles away from the 670-pound main payload.

The canisters will deploy between 4 and 5.5 minutes after launch blue-green and red vapor forming artificial clouds. These clouds or vapor tracers allow scientists on the ground to visually track particle motions in space.

The development of the multi-canister or ampule ejection system will allow scientists to gather information over a much larger area than previously allowed when deploying the vapor just from the main payload.

Спойлер

Ground cameras will be stationed at Wallops and in Duck, North Carolina, to view the vapor tracers. Clear skies are preferred, but not required, at both sites for the launch to occur.

The vapor tracers are formed through the interaction of barium, strontium and cupric-oxide. The tracers will be released at altitudes 96 to 124 miles high and pose absolutely no hazard to residents along the mid-Atlantic coast.

The vapor tracers could be visible from New York to North Carolina and westward to Charlottesville, Virginia.

The total flight time for the mission is expected to be about 8 minutes.  The payload will land in the Atlantic Ocean about 90 miles from Wallops Island and will not be recovered.

The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will open at 3:30 a.m. on launch day for viewing the flight.

Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 3:45 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream site. Launch updates also are available via the Wallops Facebook and Twitter sites.

Smartphone users can download the "What's Up at Wallops" app, which contains information on the launch as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing.

More information on the NASA sounding rocket missions and the use of vapor tracers in science research is available at:

//www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility, which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьUpdate  12:45 p.m., May 30 – The launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket testing a new deployment system to support space studies originally scheduled for May 31 has been delayed until June 1. The launch window remains 4:27 – 4:42 a.m. EDT. The launch has been delayed because of weather. Clear skies are required for the launch. Blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part the test may be seen from New York to North Carolina.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 26 мин назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/870179985016971264)

Range is red for Wallops launch. Upper level winds exceed limits. Live coverage begins at 3:45 at ustream.tv (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops)

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/870192699684552704)

Range at Wallops remains red for the sounding rocket launch this morning because of upper level winds.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/870196981490212864)

Launch at Wallops scrubbed because of upper level winds. Rescheduled for 4:26-4:41 a.m., Friday, June 2

ЦитироватьUPDATE 4:41 a.m., June 1, 2017: The launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket testing a new deployment system to support space science studies scheduled for June 1 has been rescheduled for June 2. The launch window is 4:26 – 4:41 a.m. EDT. The launch has been rescheduled because upper level winds exceeded launch limits. Blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part the test may be seen from New York to North Carolina.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/870559444026970112)

Wallops rocket launch this morning has been scrubbed because of cloudy conditions at both ground camera sites -- Wallops and Duck, NC.

ЦитироватьUPDATE 5:10 a.m., June 2, 2017: The launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket testing a new deployment system to support space science studies scheduled for June 2 has been rescheduled for June 3. The launch window is 4:26 – 4:41 a.m. EDT. The launch has been rescheduled because of cloudy skies this morning at both ground camera stations – Wallops and Duck, N.C. Clear skies are required at one of the ground sits to view blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part the test. These artificial clouds may be seen from New York to North Carolina.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/870884872650444801)

The countdown is on for the launch of the Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket from NASA @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) between 4:26 and 4:41 a.m. today

15 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/870906066246217728)

Live @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) sounding rocket coverage begins at 3:45 a.m. at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops ... (https://t.co/YsAyesMVkz) for 4:26 a.m. launch

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/870924874382024704)

Launch at @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) scrubbed today because of boats in the impact area. We will try again between 4:26 and 4:41 a.m., Sunday, June 4.

ЦитироватьUPDATE 5:25 a.m., June 3, 2017: The launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for June 3 has been rescheduled for Sunday, June 4. The launch window is 4:26 – 4:41 a.m. EDT. While the winds and skies were the issues the previous two launch attempts, this morning's attempt was scrubbed because of boats in the second stage impact area.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 33 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/871264552998117377)
 
The countdown is underway for launch of Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket. Launch window runs from 4:26 – 4:41 a.m. EDT.


33 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/871264672527384576)
 
Webcast begins this morning at 3:45 a.m. EDT.

 
3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/871272273352810496)

The webcast for today's launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute is live!

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/871278637315751936)

T-13 minutes and counting. We'll count down to T-3 minutes and hold to check cloud and boat status.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 21 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/871283262781612032)

We have scrubbed today, June 4, due to clouds.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/871283710666178562)

The next launch attempt for the Terrier-Improved Malemute is no earlier than June 11 pending range availability.

ЦитироватьUPDATE (5 a.m., June 4): NASA Postpones Sounding Rocket Launch from Wallops

The launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for June 4 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility has been postponed due to clouds impacting the ability to test a new ampoule ejection system designed to support studies of the ionosphere and aurora.

While the launch window runs through June 6, forecast weather is not conducive for supporting the test mission through the remainder of the window. The launch is now scheduled for no earlier than June 11, pending range availability.

NASA has two ground stations—at Wallops and Duck, N.C.—to view blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part of the test. Clear skies are required at one of the two ground stations for this test.

The June 4 attempt was the fourth for this mission. The first two attempts were scrubbed due to winds and clouds. The third attempt was scrubbed due to boats in the launch hazard area.

The multi-canister ampoule ejection system flying on this mission will allow scientists to gather information over a much larger area than previously able.

Canisters will deploy between 4 and 5.5 minutes after launch releasing blue-green and red vapor to form artificial clouds. These clouds, or vapor tracers, allow scientists on the ground to visually track particle motions in space. The clouds may be visible along the mid-Atlantic coastline from New York to North Carolina.

More information on the new date and time will be released when available; updates will be posted to www.nasa.gov/wallops (http://www.nasa.gov/wallops).

ЦитироватьUpdate (8:53 a.m., June 8 ): NASA Sounding Rocket Launch from Wallops

The window for a NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket launch to test a new ampoule ejection system designed to support studies of the ionosphere and aurora opens June 11 and runs through June 18. Lift-off for a June 11 launch is scheduled between 9:04 and 9:19 p.m. EDT.
  
 NASA has two ground stations—at Wallops and Duck, N.C.—to view blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part of the test. Clear skies are required at one of the two ground stations for this test.
  
 The multi-canister ampoule ejection system flying on this mission will allow scientists to gather information over a much larger area than previously able. Canisters will deploy between 4 and 5.5 minutes after launch releasing blue-green and red vapor to form artificial clouds. These clouds, or vapor tracers, allow scientists on the ground to visually track particle motions in space.
  
 The clouds may be visible along the mid-Atlantic coastline from New York to North Carolina.
  
 The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will open at 8 p.m. on launch day for viewing the flight.
  
 Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m. on the Wallops Ustream site. Launch updates also are available via the Wallops Facebook and Twitter sites.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 36 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874057241464274945)

As of 8:10 p.m., we are monitoring winds and haze that would give us challenges for launch this evening. We are monitoring conditions.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 38 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874088708760375297)

We have scrubbed launch attempt due to boats in hazard area. will attempt to launch June 12. The window for tomorrow is 9:04-9:19 p.m.

ЦитироватьUpdate (June 11): NASA Postpones Sounding Rocket Launch from Wallops

The launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for June 11 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility has been postponed due to boats in the launch range hazard area impacting the ability to test a new ampoule ejection system for supporting studies of the ionosphere and aurora.

The launch has been rescheduled for Monday, June 12, with a launch window from 9:04 to 9:19 p.m. EDT.

This was the fifth launch attempt for this mission. Previous attempts have scrubbed for various reasons: high winds, clouds in the area leading to poor science conditions, and boats in the hazard area.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874360717520117761)

Terrier-Improve Malemute rocket launch tonight. Window 9:04-9:19 p.m. EDT. USTREAM tonight at 8:30 p.m.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 23 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874396506710736896)

The countdown has started for the @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) rocket launch between 9:04 and 9:19 p.m.

ЦитироватьWallops launch of sounding rocket to provide light show
June 12, 2017 by Chris Bergin



A Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket is set to provide people on the mid-Atlantic coast with a luminescent cloud light show on Monday night. The sounding rocket – set for launch from Wallops Flight Research Facility – will help NASA test a new system that supports science studies of the ionosphere and aurora.
 
Sounding Rocket Launch:

Спойлер

The launch has been delayed a few times, first due to unacceptable weather and the most recent – on Sunday night – due to a boat in the range.

The Terrier-Malemute launch vehicle is a high-performance two-stage vehicle used for payloads weighing less than 400 pounds.



The first stage booster consists of a Terrier MK 12 Mod 1 rocket motor with four 340 square inch fin panels arranged in a cruciform configuration. The Terrier booster has an overall diameter of 18 inches.

For a payload weight of 200 pounds, the longitudinal acceleration during the boost phase is 26g's. The second stage propulsion unit is a Thiokol Malemute TU-758 rocket motor which is designed especially for high altitude research rocket applications. The external diameter of the Malemute is 16 inches.

The average thrust is 9,604 pounds. The maximum thrust level is approximately 14,200 pounds which results in a maximum longitudinal acceleration during second stage burning of 32g's for a 200 pound payload.

Liftoff weight of the Terrier-Malemute launch vehicle, less payload, is approximately 3260 pounds. This vehicle is usually rail launched and can be accommodated at most established launch ranges.

...



During the flight of a two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket, 10 canisters about the size of a soft drink can will be deployed in the air, 6 to 12 miles away from the 670-pound main payload.

The canisters will deploy between 4 and 5.5 minutes after launch forming blue-green and red artificial clouds. These clouds, or vapor tracers, allow scientists on the ground to visually track particle motions in space.

The development of the multi-canister ampoule ejection system will allow scientists to gather information over a much larger area than previously allowed when deploying the tracers just from the main payload.

Ground cameras will be stationed at Wallops and in Duck, North Carolina, to view the vapor tracers.

Clear skies are required at one of the two ground stations for this test.



The vapor tracers are formed through the interaction of barium, strontium and cupric-oxide. The tracers will be released at altitudes 96 to 124 miles high and pose no hazard to residents along the mid-Atlantic coast.

The blue-green and red vapor tracers may be visible from New York to North Carolina and westward to Charlottesville, Virginia. These clouds, or vapor tracers, allow scientists on the ground to visually track particle motions in space.

The total flight time for the mission is expected to be about 8 minutes. The payload will land in the Atlantic Ocean about 90 miles from Wallops Island and will not be recovered.

(Images via NASA).

[свернуть]

Цитировать Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 57 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/874423845645676544)

Range is green for boats. Well done @WaywardBoat (https://twitter.com/WaywardBoat) - keep it that way.

Цитировать Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 48 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/874429063322120192)

That's a long poll for a tiny rocket. Going to hold at T-3 minutes due to a red on the required observation conditions.

Цитировать Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/874431803800645633)

Suborbital rocket NASA 46.015GT holding at T-3 minutes at Wallops Island. If launched, will deploy chemical tracers visible in US northeast

Цитировать Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/874432145556738049)

It's clouds over one of the two ground stations that will take imagery of the payload as it deploys that's the only red. #frustrating (https://twitter.com/hashtag/frustrating?src=hash)

Цитировать Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/874434133258375173)

SCRUB. Red over both ground stations - clouds moved in.



  Jonathan McDowell‏Подлинная учетная запись @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/874434261927038977)

Flight 46.015GT scrubbed for tonight due to weather.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 6 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874435672375009284)

The Wallops launch tonight has been scrubbed because of cloudy skies. We are scheduled to count tomorrow night. Watch for updates

ЦитироватьJune 12, 2017

Nighttime Rocket Launch To Create Colorful Clouds in Space

UPDATE: June 12--NASA Postpones Sounding Rocket Launch

The launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for June 12 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility has been postponed due to clouds impacting the ability to test a new ampoule ejection system designed to support studies of the ionosphere and aurora.

The launch is now scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, with a launch window from 9:04 to 9:19 p.m.

NASA has two ground stations—at Wallops and Duck, N.C.—to view blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part of the test. Clear skies are required at one of the two ground stations for this test. Clouds obscured the viewing area at both viewing sites for the June 12 launch attempt.

The June 12 attempt was the sixth for this mission. Previous scrubs have been due to a variety of issues, such as high winds, clouds, and boats in the hazard area.

...

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 16 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874722170152374275)

Launch window for at @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) tonight is 9:05-9:20. Ustream begins at 8:30 and Facebook Live begins at 8:50. Let's light up the sky!

Цитировать Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/874786488717905922)

Red due to clouds at both stations.....sigh.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874791100741021697)

Spot the Space Station Time: Tue Jun 13 8:52 PM,Visible: 4 min, Max Height: 59°, Appears: 41° above W, Disappears: 10° above SE

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874791468254330880)

We are counting down to T-3 minutes at Wallops where we will hold. We are red because of cloudy skies. Window is 9:05 - 9:20 p.m.

Цитировать Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 18 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/874793729382600704)

Holding at T-3 mins. They are hoping for a gap in the clouds.

Цитировать Brian Lada‏ @wxlada (https://twitter.com/wxlada) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/wxlada/status/874794429307129857)

Looks like there are a few gaps. Let's hope that they move in before the window closes!

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 1 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874797710779527168)

The rocket launch at Wallops has been scrubbed because of cloudy skies.

Цитировать Chris B - NSF‏ @NASASpaceflight (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight) 3 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/874797929239912452)

SCRUB. Weather was "very close". Trying again tomorrow. Forecast isn't great.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 20 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/874808476874289153)

The next launch attempt of the sounding rocket at Wallops is no earlier than Thursday, June 15. Launch window will be 9:05 - 9:20 p.m.

ЦитироватьUPDATE: June 13 – NASA Postpones Sounding Rocket Launch; Now Launching No Earlier Than June 15

The launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for June 13 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility has been postponed due to clouds impacting the ability to test a new ampoule ejection system designed to support studies of the ionosphere and aurora.

Weather is not conducive for a launch attempt June 14. The launch is now scheduled for no earlier than Thursday, June 15, with a launch window from 9:05 to 9:20 p.m.

NASA has two ground stations—at Wallops and Duck, N.C.—to view blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part of the test. Clear skies are required at one of the two ground stations for this test. Clouds obscured both viewing sites for the June 13 launch attempt.

The June 13 attempt was the seventh for this mission. Previous scrubs have been due to a variety of issues, such as high winds, clouds, and boats in the hazard area.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/875083037872181254)

UPDATE: 4pm 6/14: NASA Terrier Improved Malemute will launch no earlier than 6/16, from 9:05 to 9:20 p.m. due to poor weather conditions.

ЦитироватьUPDATE:  4 p.m. June 14:  The launch of a NASA Terrier Improved Malemute is now scheduled for no earlier than June 16, with a window from 9:05 to 9:20 p.m.  Weather is not conducive for a launch attempt June 14 or 15.   Stay tuned to this website and the Wallops social media sites for updates.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 6 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/875452401444020224)

UPDATE: 4 p.m. 6/15: NASA Terrier Improved Malemute launch scheduled no earlier than 6/17. Weather not conducive for launch on 6/15 or 6/16.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/875809867512020995)

The launch of NASA Terrier Improved Malemute is now scheduled for Sunday, June 18, with a window from 9:05 to 9:20 p.m.

ЦитироватьUPDATE (3:30 p.m., June 16): Father's Day Sounding Rocket Launch Planned

The launch of the NASA Terrier Improved Malemute is now scheduled for Sunday, June 18, with a window from 9:05 to 9:20 p.m.Weather is not conducive for a launch attempt June 16 or 17. Stay tuned to this website and the Wallops social media sites for updates.

This is the eighth launch attempt for this mission. Previous scrubs have been due to a variety of issues, such as high winds, clouds, and boats in the hazard area.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 23 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/876554425090879488)

Rocket launch tonight from @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) between 9:06 and 9:21 p.m. Vapor clouds formed may be seen from NY to NC.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/876587853702103041)

The rocket launch at @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) this evening has been scrubbed because of high winds. Stay tuned for info on the next attempt.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/876601160479756289)

The rocket launch at @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) launch has been rescheduled for no earlier than June 19, between 9:06 and 9:21 p.m.

ЦитироватьUPDATE (8:30 p.m., June 18 : Father's Day Sounding Rocket Launch Scrubbed

The launch of the NASA Terrier Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for Sunday, June 18, has been scrubbed because winds are not conducive for launch. The launch has been rescheduled for no earlier than Monday, June 19, with a launch window between 9:06 and 9:21 p.m.

Project officials will meet following an afternoon weather briefing June 19 to make a determination to proceed with the count later in the day.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 11 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/876893836840239106)

Update: NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute launch, postponed to 6/20 because of weather. The launch on 6/ 20, has a window from 9:06 - 9:21 p.m.

ЦитироватьUPDATE (3:30 p.m., June 19): Artificial Cloud Rocket Moved to June 20

The launch of the NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for Monday, June 19, has been postponed to June 20 because the weather is not expected to be conducive for launch. The launch has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 20, with a launch window between 9:06 and 9:21 p.m.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 6 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/877251021097103360)

Launch update: Clouds are preventing launch of Terrier-Improved Malemute tonight. Next launch attempt for that mission is June 24.

ЦитироватьUPDATE (3:30 p.m., June 20): Artificial Cloud Rocket Moved to June 24

The launch of the NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for Tuesday, June 20, has been postponed because the weather is not expected to be conducive for launch. The launch has been rescheduled for Saturday, June 24, with a launch window between 9:07 and 9:22 p.m.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 12 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/877251118799237123)

The next launch from Wallops is a Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket at 5:30 a.m., Thursday, June 22.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 16 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/877251222247493632)

More info about the RockOn mission here:

ЦитироватьJune 13, 2017

Students and Educators Become Rocket Scientists for a Week at NASA Wallops

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/rocksat01.jpg)
RockOn 2016 participants work to prepare their experiments for flight.
Credits: NASA/Patrick Black

Have you wondered what it would be like to be a real rocket scientist?

Approximately 150 university and community college students and instructors and high school educators will get that chance during Rocket Week June 17 through 23 at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Nearly 130 university and community college students and instructors fr om across the country will build and fly experiments on a NASA suborbital rocket through the RockOn! (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/national-programs/rockon-2016-home) and RockSat-C (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/national-programs/rs-c-2016-home) programs. Another 20 high school educators fr om across the United States will examine how to apply rocketry basics into their curriculum through the Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers (WRATs (http://education.wff.nasa.gov/))

The week ends with the students launching their experiments on a NASA Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket at 6 a.m. EDT on June 22. The rocket is 36 feet long and the payload weighs 667 pounds.

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wrats01.jpg)
High school educators work on building model rockets during WRATS 2016.
Credits: NASA/Patrick Black

The NASA Visitor Center (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter) at Wallops will open at 5 a.m. EDT on launch day for viewing the flight.  Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops) site. Launch updates also are available via the Wallops Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) sites. Facebook Live coverage begins at 5:45 a.m. The rocket launch is expected to be seen from the eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland.

Smartphone users can download the "What's Up at Wallops" app for information on the launch as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing.

The June rocket will carry 23 experiments (measuring acceleration, humidity, pressure, temperature and radiation counts) from the RockOn! program, nine experiments from the RockSat-C program and more than 80 small cubes with experiments developed by middle school students in 49 states as part of the Cubes in Space program, a partnership between idoodlelearning inc. and the Colorado Space Grant Consortium.

After flying to nearly 73 miles altitude, the payload will land via a parachute in the Atlantic Ocean wh ere it will be recovered by boat. The participants should have their experiments returned to them later in the day to begin their data analysis.

Joyce Winterton, Wallops senior advisor for education and leadership development, said, "We look forward each year to Rocket Week and the students and educators who come to Wallops with an enthusiasm to learn the skills to advance their careers and instruction to advance those of younger students."

Conducted with the Colorado (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/) and Virginia (http://www.vsgc.odu.edu/) Space Grant Consortia, RockOn! is in its tenth year, RockSat-C its ninth and WRATS is in its seventh year.

"The longevity of these programs shows the continued interest from students and educators, "said Phil Eberspeaker, chief of the NASA Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) Office at Wallops. "Participants receive hands-on instruction, personal attention and the opportunity to work with career "rocket scientists" -- engineers and technicians who work on rockets on a daily basis."

In RockOn! the participants receive instruction on the basics required in building and developing a scientific payload for flight on a suborbital rocket. After learning the basics in RockOn!, students may then participate in RockSat-C, wh ere they design and build an experiment for rocket flight during the school year.

Chris Koehler, director of the Colorado Space Grant Consortium, said, "The partnership with NASA has led to excellent learning opportunities for the participants in the RockOn! and RockSat-C programs.  More than 500 students and instructors, including this years' attendees, have participated in the 10-years RockOn! has been conducted."

WRATS works with high school teachers to show them the basics of rocketry and how to take what they learn into the classroom. The 20 participants from Virginia, Maryland,  New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Kentucky, Tennessee, Delaware, and Oklahoma will receive instruction on the basics of rocketry including Newton's Laws, fundamentals of electronics, drag and propulsion. This instruction will be applied to hands-on learning activities including building and launching model rockets.

The RockOn!, RockSat and WRATS programs are supported by the NASA Sounding Rocket Program. RockOn! also is supported by NASA's Office of Education (http://www.nasa.gov/education) and NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program in partnership with the Colorado and Virginia Space Grant Consortia, as well as the program participants.

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations for the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding rocket program for the agency.

Keith Koehler
Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.
757-825-1579
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov (mailto:keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov)

[свернуть]

Last Updated: June 13, 2017
Editor: Patrick Black

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 6 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/877771579790303232)

Countdown started for the RockOn/RockSat-C mission from Wallops -- 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. EDT. Ustream begins at 5 a.m. http://www.usteam.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops ... (https://t.co/RUdmWEHx8D)

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/877828529378836480)

Launch carrying the RockOn/RockSat-C payload was successfully launched from Wallops at 5:30 a.m. The payload flew to 72 miles altitude.

ЦитироватьJune 22, 2017

NASA Wallops Successful Launch Rocks with Student Experiments

A NASA suborbital sounding rocket carrying multiple student experiments was successfully launched at 5:30 a.m. EDT, Thursday, June 22, fr om the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/img_4178.jpg_group_shot_2_bb_0.jpg)
Participants attending Rocket Week gather for a group photo following the successful launch of the RockOn and RockSat-C experiments.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

The mission carried experiments built by undergraduate students from universities and community colleges across the country through the RockOn! and RockSat-C programs.

The experiments, launch on a 36-foot long Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket, flew to an altitude of 72 miles and landed, via parachute, in the Atlantic Ocean. The payload has been recovered and the students are expected to receive their experiments this afternoon to begin their data analysis.

Спойлер

RockOn! and RockSat-C are part of Rocket Week at Wallops. Nearly 130 students and instructors participated in the two programs this week conducted in partnership with the Colorado and Virginia Space Grant Consortia.

In RockOn!, the participants receive instruction on the basics required in building and developing a scientific payload for flight on a suborbital rocket. After learning the basics in RockOn!, students may then participate in RockSat-C, wh ere they design and build an experiment for flight.

Through RockOn! 23 experiments measuring acceleration, humidity, pressure, temperature and radiation were flown.  Nine experiments were flown through RockSat-C involving more 13 institutions.

In addition to the RockOn! And RockSat-C experiments, more than 80 small cubes with experiments developed by middle school students in 49 states as part of the Cubes in Space program were flown through a partnership between idoodlelearning inc and the Colorado Space Grant Consortium.

The flight marked the tenth mission through the RockOn! program and the ninth for RockSat-C. In its 10-year history, students and instructors from 39 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia have participated in the program.

Ryan Schrenk from Capitol Technology University in Washington, D.C. said, "As the principal investigator and lead engineer on a previous successful sounding rocket mission, after attending the RockOn workshop I was impressed with how much there was to learn. I was able to hone skills and master techniques that I thought I already knew. I was also impressed by how much my students are able to absorb in such a short amount of time. My students came thinking they were lacking the necessary skillsets and knowledge and now express great confidence in their ability to become successful engineers and contributors to the missions they fly."

In addition to RockOn! And RockSat-C participants, Rocket Week also included 20 high school educators from across the country in the Wallops Rocket Academy for Teachers. During the week, these teachers have been receiving instruction on the basics of rocketry including Newton's Laws, fundamentals of electronics, drag and propulsion. This instruction is applied to hands-on learning activities, including building and launching model rockets, that can be used in the classroom.

The RockOn!, RockSat and WRATS programs are supported by the NASA Sounding Rocket Program. RockOn! also is supported by NASA's Office of Education (http://www.nasa.gov/education) and NASA's National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program in partnership with the Colorado and Virginia Space Grant Consortia, as well as the program participants.

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations for the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding rocket program for the agency.

Keith Koehler
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia

[свернуть]

Last Updated: June 22, 2017
Editor: Samuel Henry

ЦитироватьRockOn/RockSat C payload successfully launched

   (https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAtelevision) NASA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ)

Опубликовано: 22 июн. 2017 г.

A NASA suborbital sounding rocket carrying multiple student experiments was successfully launched at 5:30 a.m. EDT, Thursday, June 22, from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The mission carried experiments built by undergraduate students from universities and community colleges across the country through the RockOn! and RockSat-C programs.
 
The experiments, launch on a 36-foot long Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rocket, flew to an altitude of 72 miles and landed, via parachute, in the Atlantic Ocean. The payload has been recovered and the students are expected to receive their experiments this afternoon to begin their data analysis.
 
RockOn! and RockSat-C are part of Rocket Week at Wallops. Nearly 130 students and instructors participated in the two programs this week conducted in partnership with the Colorado and Virginia Space Grant Consortia.

ЦитироватьUPDATE (3:35 p.m., Friday, June 23): June 24 Artificial Cloud Rocket Launch Postponed

The launch of the NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for Saturday, June 24, has been postponed due to expected cloudiness in the region. A new launch date has not been determined.

ЦитироватьJune 23, 2017

NASA-Funded CHESS Mission Will Check Out the Space Between Stars

Deep in space between distant stars, space is not empty. Instead, there drifts vast clouds of neutral atoms and molecules, as well as charged plasma particles called the interstellar medium — that may, over millions of years, evolve into new stars and even planets. These floating interstellar reservoirs are the focus of the NASA-funded CHESS sounding rocket (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/missions/index.html) mission, which will check out the earliest stages of star formation.

CHESS — short for the Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph — is a sounding rocket payload that will fly on a Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket early in the morning of June 27, 2017. CHESS measures light filtering through the interstellar medium to study the atoms and molecules within, which provides crucial information for understanding the lifecycle of stars.

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/chess_feature.jpeg)
Floating clouds of the interstellar medium are the focus of the NASA-funded CHESS sounding rocket mission, which will check out the earliest stages of star formation. Here, the CHESS payload is integrated with the sounding rocket before launch.
Credits: photo courtesy of Kevin France

"The interstellar medium pervades the galaxy," said Kevin France, the CHESS principle investigator at the University of Colorado, Boulder. "When massive stars explode as supernovae, they expel this raw material. It's the insides of dead stars, turning into the next generation of stars and planets."

CHESS is a spectrograph, which provides information on how much of any given wavelength of light is present. It will train its eye at Beta Scorpii — a hot, brightly shining star in the Scorpius constellation well-positioned for the instrument to probe the material between the star and our own solar system. As light fr om Beta Scorpii streams toward Earth, atoms and molecules — including carbon, oxygen and hydrogen — block the light to varying degrees along the way.

Scientists know which wavelengths are blocked by what, so by looking at how much light reaches the space around Earth, they can assess all sorts of details about the space it travelled through to get there. CHESS data provides observations such as which atoms and molecules are present in space, their temperatures and how fast they're moving.

The scientists also use CHESS data to evaluate how the interstellar cloud is structured, which can help them pinpoint where it stands in the process of star formation. It's still not known exactly how long it takes for this material to be incorporated into new stars. But scientists know dense clouds can pave the way for the collapse at the very beginning of star formation.

The flight of a sounding rocket is a short one; CHESS will fly for about 16 minutes total. Just six-and-a-half of those minutes are spent making observations between 90 and 200 miles above the surface — observations that can only be made in space, above the atmosphere, which the far-ultraviolet light that CHESS observes can't penetrate. After the flight, the payload parachutes to the ground, wh ere it can be recovered for future flights.

This is the third flight for the CHESS payload in the past three years, and the mission's most detailed survey yet. The scientists have used each to trial and improve the technology; the upcoming flight sports an upgraded diffraction grating, which reflects light and separates it into its different wavelengths.

"A more efficient grating means the instrument is that many times more sensitive," France said. "Compared to the first flight of CHESS, this third incarnation is about eight times more sensitive."

By flying rapidly developing instruments on relatively inexpensive sounding rockets, scientists are not only able to acquire high-quality science data, but also test and mature their instruments toward possible spaceflight. According to France, the CHESS instrument serves as a spectrograph prototype for NASA's LUVOIR (https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/luvoir/) concept.

"Supporting technology and suborbital flight projects today directly translates into lower risk and shorter development time for NASA's large missions in the next two decades," France said.

[свернуть]

The launch window for CHESS opens at 1:10 a.m. EDT at the White Sands Missile Range near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Precise timing of the launch will depend on weather conditions.

CHESS is supported through NASA's Sounding Rocket Program conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility, which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations for the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division manages the sounding rocket program for the agency.


By Lina Tran  (mailto:kathalina.k.tran@nasa.gov?subject=RE%20NASA-Funded%20CHESS%20Mission%20Will%20Check%20Out%20the%20Space%20Between%20Stars)
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (http://www.nasa.gov/goddard), Greenbelt, Md.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 4 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/879437464745775105)

Grab a cup of coffee and join us early for the vapor rocket launch from @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) now set for 4:15-4:45 a.m., Thursday. June 29.

ЦитироватьUPDATE  3 p.m., Monday, June 26: The launch of a NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket is scheduled for launch between 4:15– 4:45 a.m., Thursday, June 29.  The backup launch day is June 30.

 The launch window is determined by sun angles and also moon down conditions.  Thus, this launch window is early morning compared to the previous evening launch window for this mission.

ЦитироватьUPDATE  11 a.m., Tuesday, June 27: The launch is on schedule for Thursday, June 29, of the NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital sounding rocket for the vapor release mission.  However, the launch time has been refined to 4:25 – 4:48 a.m. The backup launch day is June 30.

ЦитироватьUPDATE June 27, 2017: The launch of the Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph — or CHESS — on a NASA Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket was successfully conducted on June 27, 2017, at 1:10 a.m. EDT (June 26 at 11:10 p.m. MDT) from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Preliminary indications are that a good flight was conducted and science data was received during the flight.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Verified account @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 5 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/880289011461484544)

Count has started under clear skies, light winds for sounding rocket launch @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) between 4:25-4:48 a.m.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Verified account @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/880346410679447553)

Early July 4th light display with launch this morning from Wallops at 4:25. Vapor clouds seen from Staten Island, NY, to Outer Banks, NC.

ЦитироватьTerrier-Improved Malemute launch ampule test 6/29/17

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Verified account @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 3 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/880378852731752448)

The wait is over! The Terrier-Improved Malemute launched this morning, June 29, at 4:25 a.m. An early Independence Day fireworks display!!

Спойлер

[свернуть]

ЦитироватьTerrier-Improved Malemute Launch: Vapor deployment test

   (https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAWallops) NASAWallops (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiCvistzsGjOSixCrbba6jw)

Опубликовано: 29 июн. 2017 г.

A NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket was successfully launched at 4:25 a.m., Thursday, June 29. The rocket flew to an altitude of about 118 miles. The mission was a test of a new multi-canister ejection system for deploying vapors in ionosphere or aurora sounding rocket missions.

ЦитироватьNighttime Rocket Launch Creates Colorful Clouds in Space

   (https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAtelevision) NASA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ)

Опубликовано: 29 июн. 2017 г.

The early morning skies along the mid-Atlantic coast were lit up by luminescent clouds as NASA tested a new system to support science studies of the ionosphere and aurora, with a sounding rocket launch June 24 from the Wallops Flight Facility on the eastern shore of Virginia. During the flight of a two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket, 10 canisters about the size of a soft drink can were deployed in the air, 6 to 12 miles away from the 670-pound main payload. The deployed canisters formed blue-green and red artificial clouds, or vapor tracers which allow scientists on the ground to visually track particle motions in space. The development of the multi-canister ampoule ejection system is also designed to allow scientists to gather information over a much larger area than previously allowed when deploying the tracers just from the main payload. The vapor tracers were expected to be visible from New York to North Carolina and westward to Charlottesville, Virginia – with the total flight time for the mission expected to be about 8 minutes.

ЦитироватьJune 29, 2017

NASA Wallops Rocket Launch Lights up the Mid-Atlantic Coast
 
July 4 fireworks came early when a NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket was successfully launched at 4:25 a.m., Thursday, June 29, from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Спойлер

During the 8-minute flight, 10 canisters about the size of a soft drink can were ejected in space, 6 to 12 miles away from the 670-pound main payload.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2017-001-004.jpg)
A NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket was successfully launched at 4:25 a.m., Thursday, June 29, from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Credits: NASA/Terry Zaperach

The canisters deployed blue-green and red vapor that formed artificial clouds visible from New York to North Carolina.

During an ionosphere or aurora science mission, these clouds, or vapor tracers, allow scientists on the ground to visually track particle motions in space.

The development of the multi-canister ampoule ejection system will allow scientists to gather information over a much larger area than previously possible when deploying the tracers just from the main payload.

The rocket, after being delayed multiple times over the last 30 days, flew to an altitude of about 118 miles.

Wallops received nearly 2,000 reports and photos of the cloud sightings from areas as far north as New York, south to North Carolina, and inland throughout Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and points in-between. Submitted photos can be viewed on the Wallops Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/).

NASA's Wallops Flight Facility provides agile, low-cost flight and launch range services to meet government and commercial sector needs for accessing flight regimes worldwide from the Earth's surface to the moon. Wallops' flight assets ranging from research aircraft, unmanned aerial systems and high-altitude balloons to suborbital and orbital rockets provide a full-range of capability, while operational launch range and airfield capabilities meet ongoing and emerging needs in the science, aerospace, defense, and commercial industries.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRbFCOYpXEo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRbFCOYpXEo)
Time-lapse video of the ampoule release creating artificial clouds, or vapor tracers, that allow scientists to track particle motions in space. The ampoule launch occurred June 29 from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia.
Credits: NASA/Wallops Range Optical Systems Group

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Last Updated: June 29, 2017
Editor: Jeremy Eggers

ЦитироватьLaunch: MAXUS9, onboard camera

   (https://www.youtube.com/user/SwedishSpace) Swedish Space Corporation (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0sW3RDR2fDmt-EW9XxGuIQ)

Опубликовано: 27 июн. 2017 г.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 1 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/881187783758491648)

We lit up the sky by deploying vapor into the ionosphere to track particle motions: http://go.nasa.gov/2ub2X56 (https://t.co/z8Dp8bBm88)
https://video.twimg.com/tweet_video/DDqbmDtXgAEp9x-.mp4 (https://video.twimg.com/tweet_video/DDqbmDtXgAEp9x-.mp4)

ЦитироватьAug. 2, 2017

Undergraduate Students Bring Ideas to Reality with Rocket Launch Aug. 12 from NASA Wallops

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/p1010550.jpg)
Final adjustments are made to the RockSat-X payload during pre-integration in June 2017.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

It starts with an idea.

Спойлер

How to assess vegetation health on Earth from space observations? Develop a small re-entry spacecraft. Create an autonomous robotic arm for activities in space. Capture and measure high energy particles in space. The ideas are limitless.

In addition to attending classes, labs and studying, university and community college students then put in long hours to turn that idea into a reality. The goal, build an instrument or experiment for spaceflight that will test the idea.

[свернуть]

Students from 15 diverse institutions across the United States will get an opportunity to fly their instruments and experiments on a NASA two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital sounding rocket Aug.12, 2017, from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The launch of the 44-foot tall rocket is scheduled between 5:30 and 9:30 a.m. EDT. The backup launch dates are August 13 and 14.

Спойлер

After flying to around 91miles altitude, the payload, with the experiments, will descend by parachute and is expected to land 15 minutes after launch in the Atlantic Ocean, about 64 miles off the Virginia coast. The experiments and any stored data will be provided to the students later in the day following sea recovery of the payload.

The NASA Visitor Center (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter) at Wallops will open at 4:30 a.m. on launch day for viewing the flight. The rocket launch is expected to be only seen from the Eastern Shore of Virginia and Maryland.

Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops) site. Launch updates also are available via the Wallops Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) sites. Facebook Live coverage begins at 5:15 a.m.

Smartphone users can download the "What's Up at Wallops" app, which contains information on the launch as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing.

The experiments are being flown through the RockSat-X program in conjunction with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/). RockSat-X is the most advance of NASA's three-phase sounding rocket program for students.  The RockOn launches are at the entry level, then progress to the intermedia level RockSat-C missions and then RockSat-X.

Participating institutions in this flight are the University of Colorado, Boulder; the University of Puerto Rico; Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; University of Kentucky, Lexington; Capitol Technology University, Laurel, Maryland; University of Maryland, College Park; Oregon State University, Corvallis; and University of Hawai'i Community Colleges at the Honolulu, Kaua'i, and Windward campuses.

Additional participants include a collaboration of West Virginia institutions consisting of West Virginia University, Morgantown; Marshall University, Huntington; West Virginia State University, Institute; West Virginia Tech, Beckley; Fairmont State; and NASA's IV & V Facility in Fairmont.

Phil Eberspeaker, chief of the Sounding Rocket Program Office at Wallops, said, "The RockSat-X program provides an opportunity for undergraduate students to expand the knowledge gained in the classroom through conceptualizing, designing and building experiments and instruments for spaceflight. The students are able to apply the skills sought by their future employers in science, technology, math and engineering fields."

RockSat-X is part of a three-tier program that introduces secondary institution students to building experiments for space flight and requires them to expand their skills to develop and build more complex projects as they progress through the programs. RockSat-X experiments are flown approximately 20 miles higher in altitude than those in the RockOn and RockSat-C programs, providing more flight time in space.

"This will be the seventh flight for RockSat-X and has provided the opportunity for hundreds of undergraduate students to design and build spaceflight projects. "said Chris Koehler, director of the Colorado Space Grant Consortium. "RockSat-C just completed its ninth flight in June.  Through the RockSat programs, students from 53 higher education institutions, have been able to participate in a spaceflight project. This experience is invaluable for a student."

The experiments being flown on this RockSat-X flight are:

University of Hawaii Community Colleges

Four community colleges in Hawaii have teamed up to encourage students to explore STEM-based careers. The experiment's purpose is to demonstrate proof of concept for multiple experiments.  The primary experiment is to eject a naphthalene sublimation rocket and capture imaging of this deployment. The secondary experiments onboard will evaluate a 9-axis IMU motion tracking device and take distance data of the sublimation rocket using an infrared rangefinder.

Capitol Technology University and the University of Maryland

This experiment comprises two experiments from two different universities. CTU is using this RockSat-X mission as a proof of concept for a 1U CubeSat. Their experiment is to demonstrate the functionality of Iridium 9603 SBD and will record video during flight using a VR camera. The University of Maryland's portion of the experiment will collect experimental data to validate computational tribocharging models of grain interactions.

Oregon State University

This experiment is a proof of concept for an autonomous robotic arm.  Their arm will deploy and make contact with predetermined targets around the payload in microgravity conditions.  They will also record video of this function.  The team hopes that this can demonstrate ability for robotic arms to create assemblies, autonomous repairs, and preforming experiments in space.

Virginia Tech

The Virginia Tech team is demonstrating the compatibility of software defined radio on different communication frequencies. The experiment will receive ADS-B and AIS transmissions from aircraft and boats to show that is a more flexible and efficient system than radar tracking. The team will also transmit the received data to a mobile ground station at the launch site as well as a ground station located at their campus in Blacksburg.

West Virginia Collaboration

There are five different individual experiments from this team.  One experiment captures near-infrared and long-wave infrared imaging of Earth's surface to distinguish landmass and potentially work as a vegetation health assessment. The second experiment is a re-entry probe that will deploy and transmit acceleration, temperature, and rotation data back to the main experiment sections. The third experiment detects ionized particles. The fourth experiment detects high energy particles and observe space effects on DNA, and it will also be studying ozone during re-entry. The fifth experiment tests an autonomous pointing determination and target acquisition system.

University of Kentucky

This team's experiment is to increase the technology readiness level of a small entry spacecraft by demonstrating data acquisition, communication, and thermal protection system designs. Their experiment deploys a re-entry capsule to record and transmit temperature data in order to test the thermal protection system on the re-entry probe. The experiment also tests and verifies their deployment method and release mechanism in the space environment. The team will record video of the deployment to verify this aspect.

University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder Rapid EXpandable Boom or REX-B team's mission is to characterize the deployment of a slit-tube, strain energy deployment boom in a microgravity environment. The mission will collect data on the temperature and humidity conditions of the boom prior to its deployment as well as acceleration, pressure, and temperature data throughout the flight. The team will also take two high resolution videos using two GoPros and various low-resolution pictures at various points during the flight. The team's goal is to collect useful data for their industry partner to help them in the development of future deployable booms for future space applications.

University of Puerto Rico

The experiment will allow the detection of high density particles found within 80-100 miles (130-165 kilometers) above Earth's sea level, in order to study their physical and chemical properties. To meet this objective, the team will use UPR's early micrometeorite impact detection system, collector, and various other measuring devices. This project could aid in developing a clearer image of space particles, and potentially lead to the discovery and subsequent genome sequencing of organic materials found within the aforementioned particles.  This year, the UPR experiment focuses on cross-contamination mitigation through the use of plasma gas decontamination. They will also sequence any nucleic acids found in the collected micrometeorites.

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

Keith Koehler
NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov (mailto:keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov)

Image Caption:  Experiment checks are conducted during pre-integration in June 2017. Photo Credit: NASA/Berit Bland


Last Updated: Aug. 2, 2017
Editor: Patrick Black

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Цитировать( 071625Z AUG 2017 )

NAVAREA IV 656/2017 (12)

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
VIRGINIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
120900Z TO 121445Z AUG, ALTERNATE 0900Z TO 1445Z
DAILY 13 AND 14 AUG, 0900Z TO 1130Z DAILY
15 THRU 18 AUG IN AREAS BOUND BY:

A. 37-50-37N 075-28-54W, 37-51-04N 075-26-15W,
37-51-18N 075-22-40W, 37-51-19N 075-20-11W,
37-50-23N 075-16-05W, 37-48-59N 075-16-08W,
37-47-37N 075-16-33W, 37-47-33N 075-20-44W,
37-48-04N 075-23-12W, 37-49-04N 075-26-55W,
37-50-00N 075-29-18W.

B. 37-56-23N 074-42-22W, 38-08-22N 074-28-44W,
38-05-44N 074-02-52W, 37-50-24N 073-51-59W,
37-27-17N 073-56-22W, 37-15-32N 074-13-00W,
37-17-49N 074-36-46W, 37-33-45N 074-47-12W.

2. CANCEL THIS MSG 181230Z AUG 17.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 60 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/895658205799366661)

Sat Aug. 12, is double-header with Sounding Rocket launch b/w 5:30 and 9:30am & Astronomy Night on Assateague Isl

ЦитироватьAug. 8, 2017

RockSat-X Launch Visibility Map

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/46.017_rocksatx_visibility_map_0.jpg)
 RockSat-X Launch Visibility Map
Credit: NASA Wallops

Last Updated: Aug. 8, 2017
Editor: Rob Garner

ЦитироватьLAUNCH UPDATE (2 p.m., Aug. 11):

The launch of the RockSat-X student project on a NASA Terrier Improved Malemute sounding rocket from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility has been postponed to Sunday, Aug. 13, because of expected unacceptable weather in the area on the intended launch date of Saturday, Aug. 12. Launch on Sunday Aug. 13 is scheduled between 5:30 and 9:30 a.m.

The NASA Visitor Center will open at 4:30 a.m. on launch day for viewing the mission. Live coverage is available on the Wallops Ustream site beginning at 5 a.m. and Facebook Live coverage begins at 5:15.

ЦитироватьNASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARQH1FkYUnOpJnHFy95w0lWNKvuUJ1uS4UFXbg8AOzIELWgT4HFpUKVDqKoILheXS8g&fref=nf)
26 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/a.220437381319704.76221.191575794205863/1762157660480994/?type=3) ·

The countdown has started for the launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital sounding rocket carrying the RockSat-X student payload. The launch window this morning is 5:30 to 9:30 a.m.
 Students from 15 diverse institutions across the United States will get an opportunity to fly their instruments and experiments through the RockSat-X program in conjunction with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium.

(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/a.220437381319704.76221.191575794205863/1762157660480994/?type=3)

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/896657604788850688)

T-30 minutes and counting for a 5:30 a.m. launch from at @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops)

Цитировать
(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARS49QfUCAs3kwuaJZz_wlT2McZya7wJPbDpdYDJWMMHFvK-1Kn9WeMrtUn8SwdmYu4) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARQIX8EQiRHXWWI3MZidoRX84nvMf8Y-el37ZlJl--IRXpTS7uPzteAYIBP4vy0S_6I&fref=nf)
3 мин (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1762308350465925) ·

T-30 minutes and counting for a 5:30 launch. Range is currently green.

Цитировать
(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARR2X0m1p0JzyhdvCFOscElLyv1aaQLuNy_RwNO2GfSU1BG4leFqhrsg0nFWhpA5R_k) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARQZ0JGJ70fu8S-_2wMwSuOieZ7lIVQ4o-sXIQeLkT7NqXdPC_VeB60wfQiACLX3Qf8&fref=nf) Только что (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1762317690464991) ·

All stations report go for a 5:30 launch

Цитировать
(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARQCsUMg5QpUtAAZSh7sT0Mpi30BIlMbpQsAGjsTUuizO-29xx8cLJjAs4dY5W8rNmI) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARRLX_hmL3weHelMnRNBGGPSOPJw2jXGfD9kSG-4WGn-w0fv9xGDsar0pB1oaceQWok&fref=nf) 14 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1762342183795875) ·

Launch successful at 5:30 am. Payload flew to approximately 94 miles. Next launch from Wallops is a Black Brant IX suborbital rocket targeted for mid-September.

Цитировать
(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARR-5QgvhQK8ldhLh321afiPNkMpbZhsvZXlCzN38ZsRrJdRT4tQMxEp8b9P-eVft9g) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARQduAc61XBohPUdgjZKBzvEOmeRNNvWMqcCLXykUiC9dT0-mxhCYa0_hVH128W428g) добавил(-а) 5 новых фото (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1762391533790940).
42 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1762391533790940) ·

Early morning start here at NASA Wallops with our RockSat-X sounding rocket launch! The payload has been recovered and is on its way back to Wallops where students are eagerly awaiting its return. https://go.nasa.gov/2hWh8cp


(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/pcb.1762391533790940/1762389290457831/?type=3)

(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/pcb.1762391533790940/1762389297124497/?type=3) (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/pcb.1762391533790940/1762389293791164/?type=3) (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/pcb.1762391533790940/1762389333791160/?type=3)


  NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 33 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/896689516810993667)

The RockSat-X student payload launched at 5:30 a.m.; payload has been recovered and is on its way back to Wallops! https://go.nasa.gov/2hWh8cp  (https://t.co/UPOY1Aq5yB)

Цитировать (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2017-036-006.jpg)

Aug. 13, 2017

RockSat-X Successfully Launches fr om NASA Wallops

The RockSat-X student payload was successfully launched on a NASA Terrier-Improved Malemute suborbital sounding rocket at 5:30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 13, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The payload flew to an altitude of 94 miles during its suborbital flight. It descended by parachute and landed in the Atlantic Ocean wh ere it was recovered.

The payload will be returned to Wallops later today, Aug. 13; the experiments will be removed and returned to the student teams.

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2017-036-002.jpg)
Long exposure of the RockSat-X launch.
Credits: NASA/Jamie Adkins

More than 100 students from 15 universities and community colleges from across the Unites States participating in RockSat-X were on hand to witness the launch.

The experiments were flown through the RockSat-X program in conjunction with the Colorado Space Grant Consortium (http://spacegrant.colorado.edu/). RockSat-X is the most advance of NASA's three-phase sounding rocket program for students. The RockOn launches are at the entry level then progress to the intermediate level RockSat-C missions, culminating with the advanced RockSat-X.

The three-tier program introduces secondary institution students to building experiments for space flight and requires them to expand their skills to develop and build more complex projects as they progress through the programs. RockSat-X experiments are flown approximately 20 miles higher in altitude than those in the RockOn and RockSat-C programs, providing more flight time in space.

The next launch from Wallops is a NASA Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket in mid-September carrying a technology development payload.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/rocksat-x_2017_group_jla_9948.jpg)
Students with the RockSat-X group pose in front of their rocket prior to launch operations. The RockSat-X mission successfully launched from NASA Wallops Aug. 13.
Credits: NASA/Jamie Adkins

[свернуть]

Last Updated: Aug. 13, 2017
Editor: Jeremy Eggers

ЦитироватьAug. 23, 2017

NASA Mission to Study Atmospheric Disturbances fr om Marshall Islands

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/29042_assembled.jpg)
The WINDY instrumented payload flying on a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket is prepared in an integration facility at Roi Namur.
Credits: NASA

A NASA rocket mission to study disturbances in the upper atmosphere that interfere with communication and technology systems will form night-time white artificial clouds visible by residents of the Republic of the Marshall Islands during two rocket flights to occur between August 29 and September 9.

Спойлер

The Waves and Instabilities fr om a Neutral Dynamo, or WINDY, mission will study a phenomenon that occurs in the ionosphere – a layer of charged particles in the upper atmosphere. Known as equatorial spread F, or ESF, these disturbances occur after sunset at latitudes near the equator in part of the ionosphere known as the F region. The disturbances interfere with radio communication, navigation and imaging systems and pose a hazard to technology and society that depends on it.

The WINDY mission consists of two NASA suborbital sounding rockets that will be launched nearly simultaneously in a window between 8 and 11 p.m. local time (4 and 7 a.m. EDT) Aug. 29 through Sep. 9 from Roi-Namur. The Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands is near the magnetic equator, wh ere post-sunset ionosphere storms are more intense, making the site an ideal location for these studies.

One rocket will carry a substance called tri-methyl aluminum, or TMA. This substance will form the white artificial clouds that glow in the night sky. Scientists on the ground photograph the movement of these clouds to measure the winds and energetic particles that are in motion in the upper atmosphere. The clouds are expected to be visible for about 30 minutes.

The first rocket launched, a two-stage 47-foot long Black Brant IX rocket, will carry and release both TMA and lithium.  The release of the lithium vapors is not visible to the naked-eye but can be viewed with special cameras on the ground.

The TMA is deployed between 50 and112 miles altitude while the lithium is deployed between 155 and 217miles altitude. Both substances, which are harmless to residents on the ground when released at these altitudes, move with the atmospheric winds and can therefore be used to determine the wind speeds and direction over the area wh ere these ionosphere storms are occurring.

TMA reacts spontaneously on contact with oxygen to produce a pale white glow visible from the ground. For the WINDY mission, sunlight reflected by the Moon, will illuminate lithium producing an emission that can be detected with cameras equipped with narrow-band filters. Using moonlight allows the launches to occur later in the evening when the critical ESF conditions occur.

The second rocket, a two-stage 36-foot long Terrier-Malemute, will be launched five minutes after the first rocket. The second rocket carries instruments to measure ionosphere densities and electric and magnetic fields present in these storms.

The ionosphere is defined as the layer of Earth's atmosphere that is ionized by solar and cosmic radiation.  Ionization occurs when incoming energetic radiation strips electrons from atoms and molecules, creating temporarily charged particles. The nighttime ionosphere has two layers E and F. Disturbances in the F layer, the layer studied by WINDY, degrade radio and radar signals at magnetic latitudes.  Predicting these disturbances ahead of time, could help improve the reliability of space-borne and ground-based communication systems.

WINDY attempts to answer questions about the origin of ESF by measuring how horizontal thermosphere winds influence the formation of ESF, as well as taking direct measurements of ionosphere densities and electric and magnetic fields inside these storms.

Data from the ARPA Long-Range Tracking and Instrumentation Radar, or ALTAIR, located on Kwajalein Atoll will play a key a role in the mission. ALTAIR is used to monitor the state of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere in order to determine when the large-scale disruptions occur and will tell the scientists when to launch the rockets.  ALTAIR also will be used to monitor the evolution of the ESF after the rockets launch.

WINDY is supported by researchers from Cornell University, Ithaca, New York; Clemson University, South Carolina; and Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

Photo Caption: A sounding rocket leaves the launch pad during a 2013 sounding rocket campaign from Roi Namur.  Credit: NASA

More information on NASA sounding rocket missions and the use of artificial clouds and vapor tracers in science research is available at:

www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/index.html)

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Wallops is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

Keith Koehler
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia

[свернуть]

Last Updated: Aug. 23, 2017
Editor: Patrick Black

ЦитироватьNASA Mission to Study Atmospheric Disturbances from Marshall Islands

UPDATE – Sept. 11, 2017: NASA launched two sounding rockets Saturday, Sep. 9, supporting the Waves and Instabilities from a NeutralDynamo,or WINDY, mission from Roi-Namur, the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

A Black Brant IX sounding rocket was successfully launched at 7:34 a.m. EDT (11:34 p.m. local time) and was followed five minutes later by a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding. The first rocket flew to approximately 254-miles altitude and released its tri-methyl aluminum (TMA) and lithium, forming vapors to allow scientists to measure the winds and energetic particles that are in motion in the upper atmosphere. The flight was considered a success.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/img_1324.jpg)
A NASA Black Brant IX launches at 11:34 p.m. local time from Roi-Namur, the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Credits: NASA/Matt Griffin

The second rocket, carrying instruments to measure densities and electric and magnetic fields in the ionospheric disturbance, did not obtain useful data. The mission is under investigation.

Цитироватьtnt22 (http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/user/18282/) пишет:
АНОНС #330 (http://novosti-kosmonavtiki.ru/forum/messages/forum11/topic11991/message1675797/#message1675797)

Цитировать (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/p1020488.jpg)

Sept. 26, 2017

NASA Launching Parachute Test Platform from Wallops Oct. 3

NASA will test a parachute platform during the flight of a Terrier-Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket at 6:45 a.m. EDT, Oct. 3, from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The launch window for the 58-foot tall rocket runs until 10:15 a.m. EDT. The backup launch days are Oct. 4 - 14.

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/img_4923.jpg)
The Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) payload in the Testing and Evaluation lab at NASA Wallops.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

The rocket will carry the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The mission will evaluate the performance of the ASPIRE payload, which is designed to test parachute systems in a low-density, supersonic environment.

The flight is being conducted through NASA's Space Mission Directorate.

The payload carrying the development project is expected to reach an altitude of 32 miles approximately 2 minutes into the flight.  The payload will splash-down in the Atlantic Ocean 40 miles from Wallops Island. The payload will be recovered and returned to Wallops for data retrieval and inspection.

The NASA Visitor Center (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter) at Wallops will open at 6 a.m. on launch day for viewing the flight. The rocket launch is expected to be visible in the local area.

Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops) site. Launch updates also are available via the Wallops Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) sites.

Smartphone users can download the "What's Up at Wallops" app, which contains information on the launch as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing.

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home). Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

Keith Koehler
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov (mailto:keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov)
757-824-1579

Last Updated: Sept. 26, 2017
Editor: Patrick Black

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ЦитироватьSept. 15, 2017

ASPIRE Launch Visibility Map

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(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/36-326_visibility_map.jpg)
ASPIRE Launch Visibility Map.

Credit: NASA/Wallops Mission Planning Lab

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Last Updated: Sept. 15, 2017
Editor: Jeremy Eggers

Цитировать( 280346Z SEP 2017 )

NAVAREA IV 864/2017 (12)

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
VIRGINIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   031045Z TO 031500Z OCT, ALTERNATE 1045Z TO 1500Z
   DAILY 04 THRU 14 OCT IN AREAS BOUND BY:
   A. 37-50-11N 075-29-03W, 37-48-31N 075-24-16W,
   37-50-08N 075-23-53W, 37-50-34N 075-28-36W.
   B. 37-58-49N 074-48-41W, 38-01-46N 074-29-30W,
   37-49-57N 074-19-23W, 37-29-10N 074-24-26W,
   37-24-12N 074-47-22W, 37-35-39N 074-59-18W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 141600Z OCT 17.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 5 ч назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/914944860481826816)

Launch Update: ASPIRE mission launch will occur no earlier than Oct. 4, to allow for completion of testing of instrumentation recording unit

Цитировать (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ART05LW9DvsCvvi0STPahsLpGQOY63nH-Vtnb_NntMZmrH38V_lLqSUHv7xK6KNJS0g) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARTn9X8Y2jKQbNc2LAFe8OM8IOIzQv3yoe8RX1ozGOm3WmSnBPxWMZgfokQ5KyisIDI&fref=nf)
3 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/photos/a.220437381319704.76221.191575794205863/1814484745248285/?type=3) ·

Good day for a rocket launch from Wallops. A Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket carrying the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) is scheduled for launch at 6:45 a.m. The launch window extends to 10:15 a.m. The launch is expected to be visible in the Wallops area. Live launch coverage begins at 6:15 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream site (www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops)) and NASA TV. The NASA Visitor Center opens at 6 a.m. for launch viewing.

Цитировать (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARSyD_LDrFdkB-NzBwJ7jj31GC1u1Z5nIex6eROLZF_pfZJTcyoXF-NN81N8qaz9W-I) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARTsx3BFOdFHipHxrZ7g7-ZwFI-NOyLYr50XCLQjZkIEii4-7A7mImMXr6jwx1igqwo&fref=nf)
47 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1814515301911896) ·

Checks of the ASPIRE payload with the two-stage Black Brant IX rocket in the horizontal position have been completed. Next up is final arming of the rocket, raising it to the launch position and final payload checks. The weather looks good for the launch this morning at 6:45 a.m.

Цитировать (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARRp_IhNQ_8SaYaNVcahTbl5JZseNK2IdqJx2ymSbh2fOod3ut87zskEUAxKH3SYxVw) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARRPJJ9pg0DjTOhCk6owdGj3tinY2rEhTM_Vfhj_wuyAXZmuLdd6lL6aiXHscnczrZw&fref=nf)
7 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1814560591907367) ·

ASPIRE payload checks have been completed. Rocket in launch position for targeted 6:45 a.m. launch. Live launch coverage begins at 6:15 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream site (www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops)) and NASA TV. The NASA Visitor Center opens at 6 a.m. for launch viewing.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 21 сек. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/915518501934260225)

Sounding rocket from @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) set for launch at 6:45 a.m. EST. Catch it live on @NASA_TV (https://twitter.com/NASA_TV) or the Wallops Ustream site.

Цитировать (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ARTWlQAEb8sWWbrX7iiqixIu6teleJbBfQ_Tssz3YxD2G8jtfkiui-a-clVceTTUBHk) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARSumL8FylIlRuB8W9-n-fGd7jKHlAeRT2t_Bje6DlFISi4ym7vNd_V7T8N-UeSUYiU&fref=nf)
15 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/1814601738569919) ·

Successful launch this morning of the Black Brant IX sounding rocket carrying the ASPIRE payload at 6:45 a.m. Congrats to all the participants!

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 39 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/915553484338073601)

Gorgeous launch of @NASAJPL (https://twitter.com/NASAJPL)'s #ASPIRE (https://twitter.com/hashtag/ASPIRE?src=hash) payload at 6:45 a.m. today from Wallops! The team had a smooth countdown and a good flight.

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Цитировать (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wffcp7t4221.jpg)

Oct. 4, 2017

ASPIRE Successfully Launches from NASA Wallops

A NASA Black Brant IX sounding rocket carrying a parachute test platform was successfully launched at 6:45 a.m. EST, October 4, from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2017-055-001.jpg)
Credits: NASA/Terry Zapeach

The 58-foot tall rocket carried the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The mission is to evaluate the performance of the ASPIRE payload, which is designed to test parachute systems in a low-density, supersonic environment.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2017-055-002.jpg)
Credits: NASA/Jamie Adkins

The flight was conducted through NASA's Space Mission Directorate.

The payload flew to an altitude of approximately 31.62 miles and then landed in the Atlantic Ocean. The payload is being recovered for data retrieval and inspection.

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home). Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.

The next launch currently scheduled from Wallops is Orbital ATK's Antares rocket carrying the Cygnus spacecraft with supplies and experiments to the International Space Station. Antares is scheduled for launch no earlier than November 10.

Keith Koehler
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov (mailto:keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov)
757-824-1579

[свернуть]

Last Updated: Oct. 4, 2017
Editor: Patrick Black

ЦитироватьNASA Launches Parachute Test Platform from Wallops

(https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAtelevision) NASA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLA_DiR1FfKNvjuUpBHmylQ)

Опубликовано: 4 окт. 2017 г.

NASA tested a parachute platform during the flight of a Terrier-Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket on Oct. 4, from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The rocket carried the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. The mission will evaluate the performance of the ASPIRE payload, which is designed to test parachute systems in a low-density, supersonic environment.

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 8 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/915664607909482498)

Missed this morning's launch? Here's a recap!
Video (0:11):
(https://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/915664607909482498)

ЦитироватьOct. 27, 2017

A Light in the Dark: NASA Sounding Rocket Probes the Dark Regions of Space

Though stars and galaxies fill our night sky, most of the matter in the universe resides in the dark voids in between. Spread out over unfathomable distances, this cold, diffuse gas between galaxies — called the intergalactic medium, or IGM for short — hardly emits any light, making it difficult to study.

Спойлер

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/unknown_2.jpeg)
The rocket is prepared at Wallops for delivery to the White Sands Missile Range in Las Cruces, New Mexico for launch on October 30, 2017.
Credits: Nicholas Erickson

Scientists plan to launch a sounding rocket for a fifteen-minute flight Oct. 30, 2017, equipped with special ultraviolet optics, which they hope will shed light on the nature of the IGM. The Dual-channel Extreme Ultraviolet Continuum Experiment, or DEUCE for short, plans to measure starlight from a pair of nearby hot stars in the constellation Canis Major, aiming to help researchers understand how the IGM got to its current state.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/unknown-2_0.jpeg)
The DEUCE payload undergoing testing and integration at Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
Credits: Nicholas Erickson

Scientists know that the IGM, which is mostly hydrogen, has been blasted with high-energy radiation, causing the electrons to break apart from their atoms — a process known as ionization. Many think intense ultraviolet starlight from star-forming galaxies is responsible for ionizing the universe, but not all agree this is the sole cause. Since Earth's atmosphere blocks ultraviolet light, it is impossible to study this type of radiation from the ground. Instead, scientists must capture this light from above the atmosphere, and sounding rockets — which provide an inexpensive alternative to space telescopes — are a practical option.

"DEUCE is about being able to better understand if and how star-forming galaxies ionized the early universe," said Nicholas Erickson, a graduate student at the University of Colorado Boulder working with the project. "This ionizing light has never been measured accurately in hot stars, and DEUCE will make the first calibrated measurement of it, telling us the contribution stars could have had to helping ionize the universe."

Over two flights, DEUCE will look at two young, bright stars — first Beta Canis Major and later Epsilon Canis Major — using a telescope sensitive to ultraviolet light. These stars are close enough that their light reaches Earth before being fully absorbed by interstellar gas, allowing the scientists to measure the amount of starlight to see if it's enough to significantly contribute to the amount of ionized gas in the IGM.

"It's a hard measurement to make, because there still is neutral hydrogen between stars that is extremely effective at absorbing the starlight at these wavelengths," said Erickson. "To be seen at Earth, you need a really bright star that's close by, and there are only two stars that are viable candidates for this measurement."

DEUCE uses a microchannel plate detector — the largest ever flown in space — to measure the starlight. The mission, in addition to providing scientific data, will test this type of large UV detector for readiness in future large-scale space missions. DEUCE is scheduled to launch again in December 2018, to look at Epsilon Canis Major.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/unknown-1_2.jpeg)
The DEUCE grating, sensitive to ultraviolet, is carefully positioned for bonding into its flight mount.
Credits: Nicholas Erickson

The experiment will launch aboard a Black Brant IX sounding rocket from the White Sands Missile Range Las Cruces, New Mexico. NASA's sounding rocket program, based out of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.wff.nasa.gov/), flies 20 rockets annually, testing new instruments and supporting cutting-edge research in astrophysics and heliophysics.

Related Links

[/li]
• Learn more about NASA's sounding rockets (https://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code810/index.html)
• Learn more about NASA's research on the Sun-Earth System (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/index.html)
  

By Mara Johnson-Groh (mailto:mara.johnson-groh@nasa.gov)
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/goddard), Greenbelt, Md.

[свернуть]

Last Updated: Oct. 27, 2017
Editor: Karl Hille

ЦитироватьUPDATE Oct. 30, 2017:
The Dual-channel Extreme Ultraviolet Continuum Experiment, or DEUCE, was launched at 6 a.m. EDT, Oct. 30, from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. The Black Brant IX sounding rocket performed nominally. However, science data was not obtained because of a possible issue with the attitude control system. The payload descended by parachute and was recovered. The Sounding Rocket Program Office is investigating the anomaly.

ЦитироватьJonathan McDowell‏ @planet4589 (https://twitter.com/planet4589) · 4h (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/954910202154967041)

The NASA/U of Miami DXL-3 X-ray astronomy suborbital payload was launched from Poker Flat, Alaska at 0351 UTC Jan 19 as NASA flight 36.329UH

Цитироватьche wi пишет:

ЦитироватьJonathan McDowell ‏ @planet4589 · 4h (https://twitter.com/planet4589/status/954910202154967041)

The NASA/U of Miami DXL-3 X-ray astronomy suborbital payload was launched fr om Poker Flat, Alaska at 0351 UTC Jan 19 as NASA flight 36.329UH

Цитировать NASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 23 янв. (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/955794632482476032)

Our first launch of the year! The Wallops sounding rocket team launched the Diffuse X-rays fr om the Local galaxy mission on a Black Brant IX sounding rocket at 7:17 a.m. EST, Jan. 19, from Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. We have 28 sounding rocket launches planned for 2018!

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ЦитироватьJan. 9, 2018

NASA Alaska-Launched Rockets to Study Space X-ray Emissions and Create Polar Mesospheric Cloud

UPDATE noon EST, Jan. 26: Super Soaker Successful
The Super Soaker mission was successfully conducted this morning from the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. The first rocket was launched at 9:11:15 a.m. EST, the second at 9:48 a.m. and was followed 90 seconds later by the third rocket at 9:49:30 a.m. The principal investigator reported that good data was obtained during the mission and all three payloads on Terrier-Improved Orion rockets performed nominally.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2018-001-067.jpg)
Time-lapse photo of the three Super Soaker rockets.
Credits: NASA/Allison Stancil

UPDATE 11:50 a.m. EST, Jan. 19: DXL Launches from Alaska
The Diffuse X-rays from the Local galaxy, or DXL, mission, was launched on a Black Brant IX sounding rocket at 7:17 a.m. EST, Jan. 19, from the Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska. The payload flew to an altitude of 145 miles. Data was received and is being reviewed by the science team. The Super Soaker mission, with its three Terrier-Improved Orion sounding rockets, remains to be launched. The launch window runs through Jan. 31.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2017-001-046.jpg)
Credits: NASA/Allison Stancil

Спойлер

NASA rockets launched during the Alaskan winter typically explore the interaction of solar winds with Earth's atmosphere and the resulting auroras that dance across the night sky. However this winter, between January 15 - 31, 2018, NASA personnel and university researchers are traveling to the Poker Flat Research Range (PFRR) in Alaska to launch several rocket-borne investigations for other purposes.
Between January 15 - 31, 2018, scientists will launch four rockets to measure x-ray emissions from space and determine how large quantities of water could affect the upper atmosphere and form Polar Mesospheric clouds, or PMCs.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/p1040166.jpg)
Personnel at the Wallops Flight Facility test the DXL payload's ability to connect with the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) network which will be used to determine the location of the payload during flight.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

One rocket will carry a science investigation called the Diffuse X-rays from the Local galaxy, or DXL, mission. This investigation aims to study the sources of X-rays that hurtle towards Earth from elsewh ere in our galaxy. "Very low energy diffuse X-rays from space are believed to come from two sources," said Massimiliano Galeazzi, the principal investigator for the DXL mission from the University of Miami, Florida. "The first source is located outside our solar system and is generated by remnants of multiple supernovae explosions forming what is now called the Local Hot Bubble region of our galaxy. The second source is within the solar system and is generated by the solar wind charge exchange . DXL seeks to gain a better understanding of the nature and characteristics of these sources."

Launching from Alaska brings important benefits to DXL. A launch from a range near the Earth's magnetic pole allows researchers to take X-ray measurements closer to the region wh ere the solar magnetic field interacts with Earth's magnetic field – especially beneficial when measuring X-rays from solar wind charge exchange . Also, the Alaskan PFRR is unique among US rocket ranges in allowing researchers to wait on the launch pad, ready to fly, for an extended period of time while waiting for optimal conditions when there is a strong solar wind. The daily launch window for the DXL payload to wait for these conditions is between 6 and 9 a.m. EST.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/p1030570.jpg)
A Super Soaker payload is tested for its ability to operate while experiencing vibrations during flight.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

Three additional rockets will be flown from PFRR in another completely different science investigation named the Super Soaker mission.  This investigation focuses on the formation and dynamics of Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs). "PMCs are layers of microscopic ice particles that form near 53 miles altitude and are extremely sensitive to small variations in their environment." Said Irfan Azeem, Super Soaker principal investigator from Atmospheric and Space Technology Research Associates in Boulder, Colorado. "Because they are so sensitive to variations, PMCs are often used to try to quantify changes in the upper atmosphere over many decades. However, their use as indicators of long-term change is complex and controversial because they also respond to many other shorter term variations such as tides, stratospheric weather and space vehicle exhaust."

Super Soaker will attempt to measure the impact of short-term changes on PMCs and other atmospheric variables by releasing vapor into the upper atmosphere. "Water vapor is a common exhaust product of spaceflight traffic," Azeem said. "Super Soaker will fly to the upper atmosphere carrying about 50 gallons of water, about the amount in a bathtub. We will release the water canister at 53 miles, dispersing and vaporizing the water. We will measure the basic state of the upper atmosphere before, during and after the release to determine the impact. These measurements include temperature, winds and high-altitude layers of ice particles known as polar mesospheric clouds."Super Soaker will use three Terrier-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rockets (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/index.html) launched over a 32-minute duration. The launch window stretches from 9 a.m. to noon EST.

In order to determine the initial and final state of the upper atmosphere in this investigation, two of the three rockets carry trimethyl aluminum, or TMA, canisters and will be launched before the water release. The TMA vapor will be observed by cameras on the ground at various points in Alaska. The vapor clouds are a classic, well-developed sounding rocket technique to create markers in the upper atmosphere that enable scientists to obtain measurements of the upper atmospheric winds.  After the TMA is released and it reacts with oxygen in the atmosphere, it produces compounds that occur naturally in the atmosphere. It will be released at altitudes of 45-90 miles and never poses a hazard to the community or the environment.

A third, separate rocket to release water into the atmosphere will be after the two TMA release launches. Scientists will measure the dispersion of the water vapor and changes in temperature and PMC formation using various ground instruments, including a Rayleigh lidar operated by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, an Advanced Mesospheric Temperature Mapper from Utah State University in Logan.  
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAsOO_X0wtE (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAsOO_X0wtE)
(Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAsOO_X0wtE) 0:10)
The process to disperse water in the upper atmosphere during the Super Soaker mission is tested at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.
Credits: NASA

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute has established a messaging service for anyone interested in listening to launch range communications or viewing a live web stream of the launches.  Subscribers will receive notification when the countdown begins along with a link to listen to range launch communications.  Subscribers also will be notified when the count drops below T-10 minutes, which is when the live web stream will commence.  To subscribe to the messaging service text PFRRLAUNCHES to 33222.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/2018_poker_flat_sounding_rocket_quick_look_infographic.jpg)
Infographic on Poker Flat sounding rocket launches
Credits: NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center/Mary Pat Hrybyk-Keith

 Download infographic as PDF (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2018_poker_flat_sounding_rocket_quick_look_infographic.pdf)

 2018 Poker Flat Sounding Rocket Campaign Booklet (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2018_pokerflatsoundingrocketcampaign_pages4posting.pdf)

 2018 Poker Flat Sounding Rocket Campaign Booklet (for printing) (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2018_pokerflatsoundingrocketcampaign_pages4print.pdf)

 2018 Poker Flat Sounding Rocket Campaign Booklet (spreads for printing) (https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/2018_pokerflatsoundingrocketcampaign_spreads4print.pdf)

The range launch communications can be monitored at:

http://stereo.wavestreamer.com:7519/index.html?sid=1

The web stream will be available at:

http://youtube.com/PokerFlatRR

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Wallops is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding-rocket program for the agency.
 
Keith Koehler (mailto:keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov?subject=RE%20NASA%20Alaska-Launched%20Rockets%20to%20Study%20Space%20X-ray%20Emissions%20and%20Create%20Polar%20Mesospheric%20Cloud)
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/wallops), Wallops Island, Va.

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Last Updated: Jan. 26, 2018
Editor: Rob Garner

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 21 февр. (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/966412690913624065)

Wallops personnel conduct payload tests for the AZURE mission scheduled to launch in March from @AndoyaSpace (https://twitter.com/AndoyaSpace) in Norway. AZURE is the first of eight international missions launching over the next two years as part of the Grand Challenge Initiative to study the polar cusp.


20 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/966752124951547905)

The two payloads for the AZURE mission go through GPS testing at the @AndoyaSpace (https://twitter.com/AndoyaSpace) in Norway. The on-board GPS supports personnel on the ground to know the position of the payload during flight. AZURE is schedule for launch March 3-17 from Norway.

ЦитироватьGrand Challenge Trajectories Animation

(https://www.youtube.com/user/NASAgovVideo) NASA Video (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_aP7p621ATY_yAa8jMqUVA)

Опубликовано: 27 февр. 2018 г.

This animation shows the trajectories of several of the Grand Challenge missions. Credit: Andøya Space Center/Trond Abrahamsen

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 16 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/968955791070973953)

The Black Brant XI is loaded on the launch rail and is ready for launch in a few days! It's boxed up in an insulating foam to protect it from the chilly conditions at @AndoyaSpace (https://twitter.com/AndoyaSpace) in Norway. This is one of two rockets flying for the AZURE mission scheduled to launch March 3-17.

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ЦитироватьMarch 1, 2018

Sounding Rocket Mission Will Trace Auroral Winds

Fr om the ground, the dance of the northern lights, or aurora borealis, can look peaceful. But those shimmering sheets of colored lights are the product of violent collisions between Earth's atmosphere and particles fr om the Sun.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/aurora2_0.jpg)
Aurora as seen from Talkeetna, Alaska, on Nov. 3, 2015.
Credits: Copyright Dora Miller

The beautiful lights are just the visible product of these collisions — the kinetic and thermal energy released, invisible to the naked eye, are no less important. Understanding the contribution that aurora make to the total amount of energy that enters and leaves Earth's geospace system — referred to as auroral forcing — is one of the major goals of the NASA-funded Auroral Zone Upwelling Rocket Experiment, or AZURE. The more we learn about auroras, the more we understand about the fundamental processes that drive near-Earth space — a region that is increasingly part of the human domain, home not only to astronauts but also communications and GPS signals that can affect those of us on the ground on a daily basis.

AZURE is the first of eight sounding rocket missions launching over the next two years as part of an international collaboration of scientists known as The Grand Challenge Initiative – Cusp. These missions will launch from the Andøya and Svalbard rocket ranges in Norway to study the processes occurring inside the Earth's polar cusp — wh ere the planet's magnetic field lines bend down into the atmosphere and allow particles from space to intermingle with those of Earthly origin — and nearby auroral oval, which AZURE will focus on.

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AZURE will study the flow of particles in the ionosphere, the electrically charged layer of the atmosphere that acts as Earth's interface to space, focusing specifically on the E and F regions. The E region — so-named by early radio pioneers that discovered the region was electrically charged, and so could reflect radio waves — lies between 56 to 93 miles above Earth's surface. The F region resides just above it, between 93 to 310 miles altitude.

The E and F regions contain free electrons that have been ejected from their atoms by the energizing input of the Sun's rays, a process called photoionization. After nightfall, without the energizing input of the Sun to keep them separated, electrons recombine with the positively charged ions they left behind, lowering the regions' overall electron density. The daily cycle of ionization and recombination makes the E and F regions especially turbulent and complex.

AZURE will focus specifically on measuring the vertical winds in these regions, which create a tumultuous particle soup that re-distributes the energy, momentum and chemical constituents of the atmosphere.

Existing wind measurements from ground-based instruments show evidence of significant structure at scales between 6 miles and 60 miles wide in both the charged particle drifts and the neutral winds. But so far, the in-situ scientific measurements of winds have been limited to a small set of altitudes — and already those measurements don't fit with what we would have predicted.

To better understand the forces at play, in early March the AZURE team will launch two sounding rockets near-simultaneously from the Andøya Space Center in Norway. Waiting to launch until the conditions are just right, the rockets will fly up into space, making measurements of the atmospheric density and temperature with instruments on the rockets and deploying visible tracers, trimethyl aluminum (TMA) and a barium/strontium mixture, which ionizes when exposed to sunlight.

These mixtures create colorful clouds that allow researchers to track the flow of neutral and charged particles, respectively. The tracers will be released at altitudes 71 to 155 miles high and pose no hazard to residents in the region.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/azure_payload_prep.png)
Personnel from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia conduct payload tests for the AZURE mission at the Andøya Space Center in Norway.
Credits: NASA's Wallops Flight Facility

By tracking the movement of these colorful clouds via ground-based photography and triangulating their moment-by-moment position in three dimensions, AZURE will provide valuable data on the vertical and horizontal flow of particles in two key regions of the ionosphere over a range of different altitudes.

Such measurements are critical if we are to truly understand the effects of the mysterious yet beautiful aurora. The results will be key to a better understanding of the effects of auroral forcing on the atmosphere, including how and wh ere the auroral energy is deposited.

Related:

[/li]
• Vapor Tracers in Space Research (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/tracers/index.html)
• NASA Joins International Science Team in Exploring Auroral Cusp from Norway (https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2018/nasa-joins-international-science-team-in-exploring-auroral-cusp-from-norway)
  

By Miles Hatfield (mailto:miles.s.hatfield@nasa.gov)
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (http://nasa.gov/goddard), Greenbelt, Md.

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Last Updated: March 2, 2018
Editor: Rob Garner

ЦитироватьMarch 16, 2018
University Student Projects Launching on NASA Rocket from Wallops

Undergraduate students from across the United States will see the fruits of their efforts when their technology development projects fly on a NASA sounding rocket at 6:30 a.m. EDT, March 22, 2018, from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

Student teams from four universities will be flying projects that include propulsion systems for small spacecraft; a new wire insulation material; a small reentry spacecraft; and a deployable boom and solar blanket for small satellites.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/usip_vibration_testing_jan_2018.jpg)
Students participating in the Undergraduate Student Instrument Project observe vibration testing of the payload.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

Joyce Winterton, Wallops' senior advisor for education and leadership development, said, "The four universities were sel ected in 2016 to participate in the NASA Undergraduate Student Instrument Project or USIP. The teams are not only exploring projects that may impact future spaceflight but they are getting invaluable experience that will propel them into their future careers."

Participating universities and their projects are:

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Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne: The flight will test a new wire insulation repair material in a microgravity, near vacuum environment. The test samples will be subjected to a series of tests after retrieval to inspect the material and verify effectiveness in the space environment.

University of Kentucky, Lexington: A small entry spacecraft will be deployed during flight to test and demonstrate a communications system, release mechanism and thermal protection system design for application in future research.

Utah State University, Logan: The flight will test an arc-ignition, green propellant CubeSat thruster system. During the flight test, measurements will be gathered in order to assess the potentially harmful effects of plume contamination on spacecraft optical sensors, external electronics and solar panels.

University of Nebraska - Lincoln: Partnering with NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, the team will test a deployable and retractable boom and solar blanket for space applications, including sounding rockets, CubeSats and small satellites.

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The experiments will fly on a 43-foot tall Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket to an altitude of approximately 100 miles. Following the flight, the experiments will descend by parachute and land in the Atlantic Ocean about 70 miles from Wallops Island. They will be recovered and returned to the students later in the day.

The launch window for the USIP mission is 6:30 – 10:30 a.m. The backup launch days are March 23 and 24.

The NASA Visitor Center (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter) at Wallops will open at 5:30 a.m. EDT on launch day for viewing the flight. Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops) site. Launch updates also are available via the Wallops Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) sites. Facebook Live coverage begins at 6:15 a.m. The rocket launch is expected to be seen fr om the eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland.

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Smartphone users can download the "What's Up at Wallops" app for information on the launch as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing.

Wallops managers serve as USIP technical advisors for these four cooperative agreements on behalf agency's Office of Education and the Science Mission Directorate. In 2016 NASA selected an additional 43 university experiments to fly on orbital and suborbital vehicles including rockets, aircraft, balloons and CubeSats through a cooperative agreement competition for members of NASA's 52 Space Grant Consortia and other eligible higher education institutions.

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), which is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations for the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding rocket program for the agency.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/46019_vieria_usip_2018_visibility.jpg)
Launch viewing visibility map for the Undergraduate Student Instrument Program launch.
Credits: NASA/Mission Planning Lab

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Last Updated: March 16, 2018
Editor: Jeremy Eggers

ЦитироватьMarch 20, 2018
MEDIA ADVISORY M18-048

NASA to Launch Parachute Test off Virginia Coast March 27

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/img_0465_002_0.jpg)
The Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) 2 payload undergoes testing in the sounding rocket payload facility at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Virginia, prior to transport to the launch pad on Wallops Island.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

NASA will test a parachute for possible future missions to Mars from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia on Tuesday, March 27. Live coverage of the test is scheduled to begin at 6:15 a.m. EDT on the Wallops Ustream (http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops) site.

The launch window for the 58-foot-tall Terrier-Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket is from 6:45 to10:15 a.m. Backup launch days are March 28 to April 10.

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The NASA Visitor Center (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter) at Wallops will open at 6 a.m. on launch day for viewing the flight. The rocket launch is expected to be only seen from the Wallops area.

The rocket will carry the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. The payload carrying the test parachute is expected to reach an altitude of 32 miles approximately two minutes into the flight. The payload will splash-down in the Atlantic Ocean 40 miles from Wallops Island and will be recovered and returned to Wallops for data retrieval and inspection.

The payload is a bullet-nosed, cylindrical structure holding a supersonic parachute, the parachute's deployment mechanism, and the test's high-definition instrumentation, including cameras, to record data.

ASPIRE is managed by JPL, with support from NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California, for the agency's Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

NASA's Sounding Rocket Program is based at Wallops. Orbital ATK in Dulles, Virginia, provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) in Washington manages the sounding rocket program for the agency.

Launch updates will be available via the Wallops Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) sites. Smartphone users can also download the "What's Up at Wallops" app, which contains information on the launch, as well as a compass showing the precise direction for launch viewing.

More information on the agency's sounding rocket program is available online at:

https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/index.html (https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sounding-rockets/index.html)

-end-

Dwayne Brown
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1726
dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov (mailto:dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov)

Keith Koehler
Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.
757-824-1579
keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov (mailto:keith.a.koehler@nasa.gov)

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Last Updated: March 20, 2018
Editor: Karen Northon

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 6 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/976145172055633920)

The Undergraduate Student Instrument Project launch has been postponed due to weather. The launch will now occur Friday, March 23 with a 6:30 – 10:30 a.m. window.

ЦитироватьUPDATE 12:45 p.m., March 22: Because of expected rough seas that will not be acceptable to conduct payload recovery operations, the launch of the University Student Instrument Project (USIP) payload has been postponed to Saturday, March 24. The launch window remains 6:30 – 10:30 a.m. EDT. The backup launch day is Sunday, March 25. Live coverage on the Wallops Ustream site begins at 6 a.m. and Facebook Live coverage begins at 6:15 a.m. The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will open at 5:30 a.m. for launch viewing.

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 21 мар. (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/976491253880811520)

It's a snowy day at Wallops, but some of the crew are enjoying sunshine as they prepare for two launches from the Kwajalein Atoll. The Water Recovery X-ray rocket is scheduled for launch April 4 and the Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph on April 13.

ЦитироватьMarch 23, 2018

NASA Rocket Experiments to Examine Lifecycle of Stars

NASA will launch two astronomy experiments to study how stars are born and how they die in the Milky Way galaxy this April from Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

The Water Recovery X-ray rocket, or WRX, is scheduled for launch April 4, 2018, and the Colorado High-resolution Echelle Stellar Spectrograph, or CHESS 4, on April 13. Both experiments will fly on NASA Black Brant IX sounding rockets.

The WRX mission targets the Vela supernova rem­nant and measures soft X-rays emanating from this region. The Vela supernova remnant was created when a star, greater than 10 times the mass of the Sun, collapsed and then exploded as a supernova, the final stage of massive stellar evolution.

Спойлер

Supernova explosions are one of the most energetic events in the universe, and play a role in re­cycling material within galaxies. They are responsible for the creation and distribution of elements -- such as, oxygen, silicon, neon, iron, nickel, and magnesium among others -- into the interstellar medium, thereby providing source material for the next generation of stars, planets and even organic chemistry.

The explosions are rarely seen in action in our galaxy, but evidence is left behind as a supernova remnant. Ejected mate­rial from the explosion travels at high speeds and the shockwave sweeps up interstellar material along the way, continuing to heat it to temperatures as high as 10 million Kelvin. These hot temperatures lead to emission of high energy electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays, from the remnant.

"Supernova remnants in our galaxy are good to study due to their proximity, which makes them large, bright targets on the sky," said Randy McEntaffer, principal investigator of WRX at Penn State University, in University Park. "The WRX payload will investigate about 10 square degrees of emission located in the north central section of Vela with its diffuse X-ray spectrograph. This will provide a modest resolving power spectrum of this region that has yet to be spectroscopically explored."

WRX measurements will allow scientists to derive information about the conditions in the Vela supernova remnant such as the tem­perature, density, chemical composition, and ioniza­tion state. Using these characteristics, they will also be able to estimate the shock velocity near the remnant's limb, the age and type of the remnant, and the energy of the supernova.

WRX will be the first sounding rocket mission from Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, to use a newly developed NASA water recovery system for astronomical payloads. Most NASA astronomical suborbital rocket missions are conducted from the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico which allows for land recovery of the highly valued payload. Both WRX and CHESS instruments have previously been flown from White Sands.

"As astronomers, the sky that we look at is dependent on the latitude of observation. As we go toward southern latitudes we open up the southern sky. At White Sands, Vela is at too low of an altitude for efficient observation. Being able to launch from Kwajalein with water recovery increases the number of our observation targets," said McEntaffer.

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"The development of this water recovery system is important as it opens up future launch opportunities from remote southern sites to observe unique phenomena or astronomical objects inaccessible from northern launch ranges," said Kevin France, principal investigator for CHESS-4 at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

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(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/chess_integration.jpg)
The CHESS-4 payload is checked out by principal investigator Kevin France (right) and team member Stefan Ulrich.
Credits: NASA/Berit Bland

The CHESS-4 mission will study the interstellar me­dium, the matter between stars. The mission focuses on translucent clouds of gas, that provide the fundamental building blocks for stars and planets. These clouds have very low densities and the only way to study them is to measure how a cloud is affected by a star -- and its associated outpouring of stellar material, the stellar wind -- moving through it.

CHESS will point at the star Gamma Ara, in the constellation Ara. Gamma Ara displays an unusually powerful stellar wind.

"Gamma Ara possesses an unusually strong equatorial stellar wind that is injecting large amounts of material and kinetic energy into its immediate galactic environment," said France. "What is unique about CHESS-4, relative to its previous flights, is that we are interested in studying the molecular properties in the interaction between the wind and the local environment."

CHESS-4 will study the interaction of this stellar wind with the surrounding interstellar medium to study the excitation of atoms and molecules in the inter­face region. This allows the CHESS team to study the catalysts of galactic chemistry and the raw materials for future generations of stars and planets. The team will also quantify the temperature and motions of the clouds along the line of sight.

This iteration of CHESS also features an updated instrument – a re-tuned spectrograph – which provides approximately four to five times higher spectral resolution than previous incarnations. The higher resolution is ideal for observing the excited molecules against the background signal generated by the interstellar medium.

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NASA's Sounding Rocket Program (http://www.nasa.gov/soundingrockets) is conducted at the agency's Wallops Flight Facility (http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home), on Virginia's Eastern Shore. Wallops is managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html) in Greenbelt, Maryland. Orbital ATK provides mission planning, engineering services and field operations through the NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract. NASA's Heliophysics Division (http://www.nasa.gov/sunearth) manages the sounding rocket program for the agency.

Keith Koehler
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility

Last Updated: March 23, 2018
Editor: Patrick Black

ЦитироватьUPDATE 4:50 a.m., Saturday, March 24: The launch of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket scheduled for today has been postponed to Sunday, March 25, because of rough seas that are not acceptable to conduct payload recovery operations. The launch window remains the same at 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. The rocket is carrying four undergraduate student experiments through the NASA University Student Instrument Program. The NASA Visitor Center opens at 5:30 a.m. for launch viewing.  Live audio coverage on the Wallops Ustream site begins at 6 a.m. and Facebook Live coverage starts at 6:15 a.m.

ЦитироватьExos Aerospace prepares for first suborbital launch
by Jeff Foust (http://spacenews.com/author/jeff-foust/) — March 23, 2018


Exos Aerospace conducts a hover test of its SARGE suborbital rocket March 17, a final test before the vehicle's first flight in April from Spaceport America in New Mexico. Credit: Exos Aerospace

WASHINGTON — With a key test completed and a launch license in hand, Exos Aerospace is preparing for the first flight of its reusable suborbital rocket in April.

In a statement, the company said it completed a "hover test" of its Suborbital Autonomous Rocket with GuidancE, or SARGE, rocket at its Caddo Mills, Texas, facility March 17. In the test, the rocket, suspended from a crane, fired its engine to hover in place, demonstrating the performance of its propulsion, guidance, and other systems.

That test went as planned, said John Quinn, chief operating officer of Exos Aerospace. It also came a month after the company received a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, authorizing flights of SARGE from Spaceport America in New Mexico.

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"We are excited to move two critical steps closer to launches at Spaceport America," Quinn said of the test and the FAA license.

With the successful test and the license, Exos is planning a first launch April 7 from Spaceport America, flying to an altitude of at least 80 kilometers. Preparations for the launch will begin in the week leading up to it, Quinn said, as the rocket and support personnel travel from Texas to New Mexico.

The rocket will be carrying payloads for customers, Quinn said, but did not disclose their names. One goal of the flight, he said, is to qualify to be a part of NASA's Flight Opportunities program, which contracts with several companies to fly suborbital research payloads. The program's current suborbital flight providers include Blue Origin, UP Aerospace and Virgin Galactic.

Exos is based on both technologies and people from Armadillo Aerospace, a company founded by video game developer John Carmack that competed for the Ansari X Prize for commercial human suborbital spaceflight in the early 2000s and later developed a series of suborbital vehicles, including an earlier version of the SARGE vehicle.

Carmack put Armadillo into what he called "hibernation" in 2013 after a flight of that predecessor vehicle, known as STIG-B, early that year. He said at the time that he no longer planned to fund the company out his own pocket. Exos acquired what it called the "mission critical" assets of Armadillo in early 2015, and a number of former Armadillo employees joined Exos.

Exos hopes to use SARGE to tap into what it believes to be significant demand for suborbital research, while also testing technology that could be used for a future orbital launch vehicle. "We look forward to enabling space research, manufacturing and educational opportunity for the world by providing frequent flights that provide fast and affordable access to space," Quinn said.

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ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 ч.2 часа назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/977461290229731330)


UPDATE: The launch of the Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket has been canceled because of rough seas that prevent payload recovery operations. An update on possible launch operations for Sunday, March 25, will be announced later this morning.

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) сейчас51 секунду назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/977555689802551296)


The USIP launch carrying four student experiments is now scheduled for Sunday, March 25 with the same launch window, 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Watch live on UStream at 6, Facebook Live at 6:15, or in person at the Visitor Center starting at 5:30 a.m.

Цитировать
(https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?ref=nf&hc_ref=ART1AuoNnzn6S4-MZV5nDHPwYmQbN-zpb_RlKW7C2XjRv7dgiMElcdXTfes9uf0liXI) NASA's Wallops Flight Facility (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/?hc_ref=ARQYc_SV1rrNzi_v97Pq5e9ygHEQao5cVgSKSExjQsHmeHW4Nle5ggcAzqpSCWL37pY&fref=nf)
26 мин. (https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF/posts/2014184455278312) · 

The count is underway for the launch this morning of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket from Wallops. Targeted launch time is 6:30 with the window running until 10:30 a.m. The Wallops Visitor Center opens at 5:30 a.m. for launch viewing, live audio of the launch can be heard beginning at 6 a.m. on the Wallops Ustream site (ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv-wallops (https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fustream.tv%2Fchannel%2Fnasa-tv-wallops&h=ATMmOagzuaTyGpsSxDi9GqeyVtkuChYAcZyoah3J63wvuSMM27LG3inXlqsFHVbbxgoPn0mVhib-Wo4X8pdna55e-dShrh5meCt_SKj2miG0O9hyLZvPP6iQF-fvYUz-hUolegEHRU5150_XixhRqIQ)) and Facebook Live coverage from the launch site with the students whose experiments are being launched begins at 6:15. The launch is expected to be seen only in the Wallops area.

Цитировать

Susan Kopliner Delaney
This is a horrible broadcast. It keeps freezing

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/977880436910297088)

Mission success! This morning, a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket successfully launched four student payloads from Wallops Island, Virginia. Follow our Instagram, @NASAWallops (https://twitter.com/NASAWallops), to see additional photos from the launch.

ЦитироватьMarch 25, 2018

University Student Projects Launch fr om NASA Wallops

Four university student projects were successfully launched at 6:51:30 a.m. EDT, March 25, 2018, on a NASA suborbital sounding rocket from the agency's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket carried the projects to an altitude of 107 miles. The projects then descended by parachute, landing in the Atlantic Ocean. The projects were recovered and will be returned to the students for analysis.

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The undergraduate student teams' projects from Utah State University, Logan; the University of Nebraska – Lincoln; the University of Kentucky, Lexington; and the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, were launched through the NASA Undergraduate Student Instrument Project or USIP.

"USIP gave students the opportunity to experience working in a research and development environment and learn about different aspects of taking an engineering project from conceptual design through fabrication and testing. Students gained skills in project management, design analysis and selection, fabrication, and assembly. The Nebraska USIP team also honed its interpersonal and writing skills through design reviews, monthly status reports, and required grant reporting," said Amy Price, a senior mechanical engineering student and team lead.

She said, "The University of Nebraska-Lincoln USIP team is comprised of multidisciplinary students providing a well-rounded project team. Throughout the two-year duration of the USIP project, 29 undergraduate students have worked on the project. This includes students from various disciplines within the College of Engineering such as biological systems, chemical, computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering majors. In addition, there are math, physics, finance, and economics majors on the team."

"USIP has been a fantastic experience for the more than 46 University of Kentucky students who have been able to work on the project. The KRUPS Operational Re-entry Experimental Vehicle for Extensive Testing has been a great opportunity for participating in the NASA systems engineering process and for obtaining hands-on experience designing, building, integrating and testing the capsule's ejection mechanism and communication systems. A highlight so far was presenting the project to the NASA Deputy Administrator at the Spring 2018 Space Grant Conference," said Gabriel Myers, a senior mechanical engineering and physics major.

Myers added, "Through cooperation with engineers at NASA Wallops and elsewh ere, the group has been able to gain a degree of engineering intuition aiding the students in drawing connections between their classes and applying that knowledge."

Wallops managers serve as USIP technical advisors for these four cooperative agreements on behalf agency's Office of Education and the Science Mission Directorate. In 2016 NASA selected an additional 43 university experiments to fly on orbital and suborbital vehicles including rockets, aircraft, balloons and CubeSats through a cooperative agreement competition for members of NASA's 52 Space Grant Consortia and other eligible higher education institutions.

(https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/wff-2018-016-001.jpg)
University students pose in front of a Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. The rocket launched March 25 carrying four university payloads on a suborbital flight into space.
Credits: NASA

Keith Koehler
NASA's Wallops Flight Facility

[свернуть]

Last Updated: March 25, 2018
Editor: Jeremy Eggers

ЦитироватьMo Detrick‏ @mmdetrick (https://twitter.com/mmdetrick) 6 ч.6 часов назад (https://twitter.com/mmdetrick/status/977862392163028992)


Sounding Rocket launch successful! @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) Viewed in Leonardtown, MD

Цитировать (https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-launch-parachute-test-off-virginia-coast-march-27)


Date: March 27, 2018
Launch Window: 6:45 a.m. -- 10:15 a.m. Eastern

Mission: Sounding Rocket Launch With ASPIRE (https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-launch-parachute-test-off-virginia-coast-march-27)
Description: A Terrier-Black Brant IX suborbital sounding rocket will launch from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility with the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) mission on board. ASPIRE will test a parachute for possible future missions to Mars.

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 2 ч. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/978291940981698562)

This weekend, four student experiments launched 107 miles in altitude, splashed down into the ocean and were recovered for further student analysis from Wallops Flight Facility.

Video (https://twitter.com/i/videos/tweet/978291940981698562) 0:44

ЦитироватьUPDATE 3 p.m., March 26: Because of expected rough seas that will not be acceptable to conduct payload recovery operations, the launch of the Advanced Supersonic Parachute Inflation Research Experiment (ASPIRE) has been postponed to no earlier than Thursday, March 29. The launch window remains 6:45 – 10:15a.m. EDT. The backup launch days are March 30 – April 10. Live coverage on the Wallops Ustream site begins at 6:15 a.m. and Facebook Live coverage begins at 6:30 a.m. The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will open at 6 a.m. for launch viewing.

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 15 мин. назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/978367526492139520)

It's almost showtime! Much like performers on a stage, our sounding rockets go through dress rehearsals too. Today, the ASPIRE mission got ready to test a parachute for possible future missions to Mars. Launch details: https://go.nasa.gov/2IS4Nza  (https://t.co/ueecJsEw2M)

ЦитироватьNAVAREA IV 241/2018 (12)

WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
VIRGINIA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING
   271045Z TO 271500Z MAR, ALTERNATE
   1045Z TO 1500Z DAILY 28 MAR THRU 10 APR
   IN AREA BOUND BY
   38-08-40N 075-05-20W, 37-59-20N 074-08-16W,
   37-16-23N 074-20-53W, 37-31-29N 075-31-20W,
   37-50-22N 075-30-20W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 101600Z APR 18.

( 220904Z MAR 2018 )

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 9 мин.9 минут назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/978702641852309504)


When will ASPIRE get to "seas" the day? The wait will "shorely" be worth it! Due to rough sea conditions, the ASPIRE launch has been rescheduled for Friday, March 30, with the possibility of postponing until the weekend.

ЦитироватьNASA Wallops‏Подлинная учетная запись @NASA_Wallops (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops) 3 ч.3 часа назад (https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops/status/978987131547865088)


The Water Recovery X-ray rocket, or WRX experiment from Penn State University is ready to head to the launch pad tomorrow in Roi Namur, Kwajalein Atoll. The flight from the Republic of the Marshall Islands is scheduled for April 4.