NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is set to launch a sounding rocket early Wednesday, and some skywatchers in south-central Pennsylvania may be able to get a glimpse of it. Video above: Rocket launched in Florida spotted in Franklin County, Pa. The two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket will carry more than 50 student-developed experiments to suborbital space as part of NASA’s RockSat-X and RockOn programs, according to NASA. The launch window is scheduled from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on June 24, with a backup set for Thursday. Will it be visible in the Susquehanna Valley? According to the WGAL News 8 Storm Team, viewing conditions in south-central Pennsylvania look favorable, with clear skies and light winds expected around launch time. However, only the southeastern edge of the Susquehanna Valley may be able to catch a glimpse of the rocket for 10 to 21 seconds after liftoff. The rest of the region will likely not be able to see it because of the rocket’s low altitude. NASA said the rocket will travel more than 100 miles above Earth’s surface before the experiments complete a short flight lasting about 15 minutes. The payload is expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean, where it will be recovered by boat and returned to students. Did you capture the rocket and would like to share it with News 8? Send us your photos or videos at https://www.wgal.com/upload.
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. —
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is set to launch a sounding rocket early Wednesday, and some skywatchers in south-central Pennsylvania may be able to get a glimpse of it.
Video above: Rocket launched in Florida spotted in Franklin County, Pa.
The two-stage Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket will carry more than 50 student-developed experiments to suborbital space as part of NASA’s RockSat-X and RockOn programs, according to NASA.
The launch window is scheduled from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. on June 24, with a backup set for Thursday.
Will it be visible in the Susquehanna Valley?
According to the WGAL News 8 Storm Team, viewing conditions in south-central Pennsylvania look favorable, with clear skies and light winds expected around launch time.
However, only the southeastern edge of the Susquehanna Valley may be able to catch a glimpse of the rocket for 10 to 21 seconds after liftoff.
The rest of the region will likely not be able to see it because of the rocket’s low altitude.
NASA said the rocket will travel more than 100 miles above Earth’s surface before the experiments complete a short flight lasting about 15 minutes.
The payload is expected to splash down in the Atlantic Ocean, where it will be recovered by boat and returned to students.
Did you capture the rocket and would like to share it with News 8? Send us your photos or videos at https://www.wgal.com/upload.