Terrier-Improved Malemute Sounding Rocket Launch Scrubbed From NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
By NASA // June 13, 2017
launch window set for 9:04 to 9:19 p.m.
ABOVE VIDEO: Nighttime Rocket Launch To Create Colorful Clouds in Space
(NASA) – 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.
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 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.
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
