The final flight of an Atlas 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California will see the launch of an advanced weather satellite, in addition to the heat shield experiment.
Star Wars: Shatterpoint trailer
02:27
The first things to do in virtual reality, part 3
Yesterday 9:39
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) mission and NASA’s Low Earth Orbit Inflatable Decelerator Flight Test (LOFTID) will launch aboard NASA’s Atlas 5 rocket. United Launch Alliance on Thursday, November 10 at 4:00:25 p.m. ET from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, according to NASA. If you are awake at this ungodly hour, you can witness the action at NASA television or on the live stream below.
JPSS-2 will join a fleet of satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit from which it will collect data for global weather patterns by monitoring wildfires, measuring sea surface temperatures and noting harmful algal blooms in the ocean. Scientists will use this data to generate weather forecasts around the world and track extreme weather events.
As JPSS-2 separates from the rocket to reach orbit, its payload companion will begin its journey back to Earth. The LOFTID heat shield will separate from the upper stage of the rocket following a deorbit burn. LOFTID will then inflate and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere to demonstrate its capabilities. The experiment is designed to slow down spacecraft, thereby shielding their payloads from scorching temperatures caused by atmospheric re-entry – and not just Earth’s atmosphere, but those of other planets as well.
“The technology could be further developed to support large-scale, crewed robotic missions to destinations such as Mars, Venus, and Titan, as well as returning heavier payloads to Earth,” according to NASA.
G/O Media may receive a commission
*lightsaber buzz*
SabersPro
For the Star Wars fan with everything.
These lightsabers powered by Neopixels, strips of LEDs that run inside the shape of the blade that allow for adjustable colors, interactive sounds, and changing animation effects when dueling.
The launch of the Atlas 5 rocket was originally scheduled for November 1, but it was deferred due to a defective battery. On October 29, NASA announced that the Centaur’s upper stage battery needed to be replaced and the rocket was erased for launch five days later.
This will be NASA’s 23rd launch on an Atlas 5 rocket, but the last time the space agency will use ULA’s Atlas 5 for its Launch Services Program (commercial launches of unmanned missions). In its place, ULA hopes to launch its next Rocket Vulcan Centaur early next year.
After: Amazon’s first internet satellites will be launched on an untested rocket
#NASA #track #test #inflatable #heat #shield #space #tomorrow #morning