NASA reprogrammed the launch of a rocket that was to release blue-green artificial clouds. It was set to be launched from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility at 4:26-4:41 a.m EDT, this Saturday. However, the launch was not possible, and it had to be postponed until tomorrow morning.
In an attempt to test a new deployment system, NASA was planning to eject ten small canisters between 10 to 20 kilometers from the rocket’s primary payload, and then they would release the vapor.
“Clear skies are required at one of the ground stations to view blue-green and red artificial clouds that will be produced as part of the test. These artificial clouds may be seen from New York to South Carolina and westward to Charlottesville, Virginia,“NASA said.
The colorful sky will be seen from East Coast
Eastern Seaboards were going to be able to see this colorful artificial clouds if they woke up early enough this Saturday since the launch was going to be made in NASA’S Wallops Flight Facility on the East Coast of Virginia. However, they were left a little disappointed after NASA announced that the launch of the Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket was not possible for today’s morning. However, there still is a chance to see it tomorrow.
NASA announced earlier today that the launch was not going to be performed because of boats in the second stage impact area. It is the fourth time that this launch has been postponed. They recently postponed the launch of the rocket on May 31 due to poor weather. They have scheduled the launch for each morning until June 6, if it is necessary.
“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.”
For those that are not in the East Area, NASA is planning to start a livestream to cover the whole event, which wSunday’s live stream will start at 3:45 a.m
NASA is testing a new deployment system
NASA was trying to test a new deployment system to support other studies in the space. It also will allow scientists to track the trajectory of particles in the ionosphere, so they know how they behave in such altitudes.
NASA had planned to release ten canisters – with the size of a soft drink can – and they were going to release the colorful vapor between 4 and 5.5 minutes after launch. Ground Cameras were set at Wallops and in other parts of North Carolina such as Duck, to trace the vapor. This canister would not be a threat to people around for they were going to be released about 100 miles above the ground.
“The vapour 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,” NASA said.
The total time of the mission is expected to be 8 minutes, and the payload is set to land about 90 miles away from its initial point. The rocket will not be used again.
Source: Inquisitr