Thirteenth time lucky! Nasa lights up the East coast sky with colorful artificial clouds after a MONTH of tryingClouds were released with test of new deployment system on sounding rocket
Mission was initially slated to launch May 31, and has been delayed many times
Artificial clouds turn blue-green and red as vapour interacts with atmosphere
By Cheyenne Macdonald For Dailymail.com Published: 12:50 EDT, 29 June 2017 | Updated: 13:54 EDT, 29 June 2017
After weeks of delays and anticipation, NASA has finally launched its Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket, creating stunning artificial clouds of blue, green, and red that could be seen from New York to North Carolina.
The mission early this morning was the space agency’s thirteenth attempt at flight since it was first scheduled to launch May 31.
Nearly a month later, the rocket took off at 4:25 a.m. today from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, and deployed 10 canisters filled with colourful vapour over the course of its 8-minute flight, lighting up the sky in an ‘early July 4th light display.’
After weeks of delays and anticipation, NASA has finally launched its Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket, creating stunning artificial clouds of blue, green, and red that could be seen from New York to North CarolinaWHAT ARE VAPOUR TRACERS?
Vapour tracers are artificial clouds that allow scientists to track the movement of particles through space.
They will be deployed from canisters, each roughly the size of a soda can, at 96 to 124 miles above the surface.
As barium, strontium, and cupric-oxide interacts with the atmosphere, the vapour creates clouds of blue-green and red.
But, this will pose no risks to people down below, the space agency says.
Announcing the successful launch on Twitter this morning, NASA Wallops revealed the clouds could be seen across much of the East Coast, with visibility stretching from Staten Island, NY to Outer Banks, North Carolina.
After launch, the rocket flew to an altitude of 118 miles, according to NASA.
‘The wait is over!’ NASA Wallops tweeted.
‘The Terrier-Improved Malemute launched this morning, June 29, at 4:25 a.m.
'An early Independence Day fireworks display!!’
Time-lapse footage of the event shows the vapour changing colours as it is released into the air and interacts with the atmosphere.
According to NASA, the facility received nearly 2,000 reports of the cloud sightings from New York, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina.
The test was rescheduled 12 times after its initial May 31 launch date to ensure optimal weather conditions.
After launch, the rocket flew to an altitude of 118 miles, according to NASAThe mission deployed ten soda-can-sized canisters, each containing cloud-forming vapour, roughly 100 miles above the surface just before 5 a.m. (EDT).
The artificial clouds will glow with brilliant colour as the vapour interacts with elements in the atmosphere, allowing scientists to track the movement of particles.
The clouds, also called vapour tracers, are released at 96 to 124 miles above the surface, and pose no risks to people down below, the space agency says.
As barium, strontium, and cupric-oxide interacts with the atmosphere, the vapour creates clouds of blue-green and red.
‘The canisters will deploy between 4 and 5.5 minutes after launch blue-green and red vapour forming artificial clouds,’ according to NASA.
‘These clouds or vapour tracers allow scientist on the ground to visually track particle motions in space.
The mission has been delayed several times as a result of clouds, high winds, and other factors that could pose challenges to launchA TIMELINE OF DELAYS
The mission early this morning was the space agency’s thirteenth attempt at flight since it was first scheduled to launch May 31.
On Twitter, NASA Wallops has continually shared updates on the delays and rescheduled dates:
Finally, in the early hours of Thursday morning, the rocket successfully took off from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia‘The development of the multi-canister or ampule ejection system will allow scientists to gather information over a much larger area than previously allowed when deploying the vapour just from the main payload.’
The mission has been delayed several times as a result of clouds, high winds, and other factors that could pose challenges to launch.
But finally, in the early hours of Thursday morning, it successfully took off from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
The clouds, also called vapour tracers, will be released at 96 to 124 miles above the surface, and pose no risks to people down below, the space agency says. The map shows where it will be visibleRead more:
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