Thread: U.S. NAVY TO CONDUCT MASSIVE ATMOSPHERIC EXPERIMENTAL TESTS

U.S. NAVY TO CONDUCT MASSIVE ATMOSPHERIC EXPERIMENTAL TESTS

By Rosalind Peterson
September 9, 2009
NewsWithViews.com

Starting as early as today, September 15, 2009

An article in Space.com (1) titled, “NASA Rocket to Create Clouds Tuesdayâ€

Night Time Artificial Cloud Study Using NASA Sounding Rocket


NASA
09/10/09


A rocket experiment that may shed light on the highest clouds in the Earth’s atmosphere will be conducted Sept. 15 from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The Charged Aerosol Release Experiment (CARE) will be conducted by the Naval Research Laboratory and the Department of Defense Space Test Program using a NASA four-stage Black Brant XII suborbital sounding rocket. Using ground based instruments and the STP/NRL STPSat-1 spacecraft, scientists will study an artificial noctilucent cloud formed by the exhaust particles of the rocket’s fourth stage at about 173 miles altitude.

The launch is scheduled between 7:30 and 7:57 p.m. EDT. The backup launch days are Sept. 16 through 20. The rocket flight and the resulting cloud may be seen throughout the mid-Atlantic region. The artificial noctilucent cloud also may be visible the following morning just before sunrise.



Ground based cameras and radars will be based at various observation stations along the Atlantic coast and in Bermuda. Because of the optical observations, the launch will require clear skies not only at Wallops but also at the multiple observation stations.

The Spatial Heterodyne IMager for MEsospheric Radicals instrument on the STPSat-1 spacecraft will track the CARE dust cloud for days or even months. The SHIMMER instrument has previously viewed natural noctilucent clouds for the past two years. The CARE will be the first space viewing of an artificial noctilucent cloud.

Data collected during the experiment will provide insight into the formation, evolution, and properties of noctilucent clouds, which are typically observed naturally at high latitudes. In addition to the understanding of noctilucent clouds, scientists will use the experiment to validate and develop simulation models that predict the distribution of dust particles from rocket motors in the upper atmosphere.

Natural noctilucent clouds, also known as polar mesospheric clouds, are found in the upper atmosphere as spectacular displays that are most easily seen just after sunset. The clouds are the highest clouds in Earth’s atmosphere, located in the mesosphere around 50 miles altitude.

They are normally too faint to be seen with the naked eye and are visible only when illuminated by sunlight from below the horizon while the Earth’s surface is in darkness.

A team from government agencies and universities, led by the Naval Research Laboratory, is conducting the experiment. In addition to the Naval Research Laboratory, participants include the DoD STP, NASA, University of Michigan, Air Force Research Laboratory, Clemson University, Stanford University, University of Colorado, Penn State University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Haystack Observatory.

The launch will be web cast, beginning one hour before the opening of the launch window, at http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/CARE.html

From:

NASA - GSFC
Launch Webcast

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



Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 19:18:58 EDT
We have scrubbed the mission for tonight.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 19:14:34 EDT
T-minus 30 minutes and counting.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 19:11:14 EDT
Our principal investigator indicates science does not seem favorable for a launch tonight. We are still counting in hopes that these conditions will change.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 19:00:24 EDT
7:00 p.m. We are preparing to begin vertical checks.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 18:48:29 EDT
6:47 p.m. We are currently performing a surveillance sweep of the area to check for any boats that may be hindering our launch attempt.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 18:40:42 EDT
We are at T-minus 1 hour and holding. We will be launching some test rockets momentarily. These are very small rockets (not visible locally) that assist in preparing and testing the team prior to launch.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 18:15:06 EDT
6:14 p.m. T-1 hour 30 minutes and counting. Time delay on audio/video on the webcast has improved to about 10 seconds. Horizontal checks are complete. Rocket is raised to vertical launch position.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 18:01:52 EDT
6:00 p.m.: The rocket is being elevated to the appropriate position for launch.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 17:45:06 EDT
At 5:44 p.m.we are T-2 hours and counting. Crews have completed preparing the rocket on the launch pad. Checks of the rocket systems with the rocket in the horizontal position are in progress.Note that the audio/video on the webcast is running about 1 minute behind actual events.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 17:14:34 EDT
At 5:14 p.m.we are T-2 hours 30 minutes and counting for tonight's launch. Clear skies are needed for the launch not only here at Wallops but also observing sites in New Jersey and North Carolina. Currently, high cirrus clouds are an issue at Wallops and are closely being watched. The audio and video on the webcast are now running.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-15 at 16:18:41 EDT
The countdown has started for the launch tonight of a 4-stage Black Brant XII sounding rocket. The targeted launch time tonight is 7:44 p.m. with a backup time of 7:53 p.m.The launch tonight is to support studies of noctilucent clouds, the highest clouds on Earth. As part of tonight’s mission the exhaust particles from the 4th stage will form an artificial cloud at about 173miles altitude. The launch and the cloud formation may bee seen throughout the mid-Atlantic area.


Posted by RCC on 2009-09-14 at 17:33:43 EDT
A NASA Black Brant XII suborbital sounding rocket is scheduled for launch between 7:40 and 7:57 p.m.EDT, Tuesday, Sep. 15, from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. The web cast of the mission will begin at 6:30 p.m. The launch may be seen in the mid-Atlantic area, including the 4th stage burn which will be around 173 miles altitude. The forecast is for 60% chance good weather for the mission. For the full story, go to www.nasa.gov/wallops