Update: The launch has been delayed by 24 hours, now scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, according to the Vandenberg Space Force Base. The reason for the postponement has not been disclosed.
The next satellites SpaceX assists in placing into orbitFrom Southern California will not be independent, but rather two of NASA’s.
Spaceflight missions aimed at launching internet-carrying Starlink satellites arethe most frequently encountered at the Vandenberg Space Force Base. However, the commercial spaceflight company established by billionaire Elon Musk will instead assist in launching two satellites into orbit as part of a scientific mission for the U.S. space agency.
The instruments, which play a key role in NASA’s TRACERS mission, will thenobserve the way energy from the sun’s atmosphere is releasedmoves through Earth’s magnetosphere – the area surrounding Earth where the planet’s magnetic field has the strongest influence.
As with any launch from Vandenberg, the process involves careful planning and coordination to ensure safety and success.many areas throughout Southern California provide a good viewof the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket ascending into the atmosphere. However, for those interested in learning more about the mission that the spacecraft is supporting in reaching orbit, here’s all the information you need about NASA’s TRACERS mission.
What is NASA’s TRACERS mission? Two satellites designed to examine solar activity.
The magnetosphere of Earth shields our planet from continuous exposure to solar wind. Strong enough to penetrate the magnetosphere during explosive occurrences called “magnetic reconnection,” solar wind can interfere with satellites, GPS systems, and other technological devices, as well as cause beautiful auroras in the northern region.
To better understand the phenomenon, NASA intends to deploy twin satellites –constructed by Boeing’s subsidiary Millennium Space Systems– into a sun-synchronous orbit,meaning they align with Earth’s rotationaround the sun. The vehicles are built to move in sync while examining thousands of magnetic reconnection events and how the phenomenon develops and transforms.
The task is referred to asTRACERS, a long acronym representing Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites.
The satellites will follow a path called low-Earth orbit — an altitude that enables them to circle the planet relatively swiftly. Specifically, the satellites will pass through the funnel-like openings in the magnetic field referred to as polar cusps, which occur above the north and south poles.
NASA also intends to integrate and analyze data from additional solar-observing missions, such as NASA’sThe PUNCH mission that launched in March.
By watching this process, researchers will gain further insight and be better prepared fortechnological disruptions on Earth caused by solar activity, according to NASA.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket set to send NASA’s TRACERS twin satellites into space: What is the scheduled departure time from California?
SpaceX will act as the launch service provider for the NASA mission,which will begin operationslocated at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California.
The corporation, established by billionaire Elon Musk, will employ its two-stage 230-footFalcon 9rocket, one of the most frequently used vehicles, to send satellites into space.
A Federal Aviation Administration procedureplan advisorysignals that the launch is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, with additional chances available the next day if necessary. The launch period begins at 11:13 a.m. PT, as reported.NASA.
What is the Vandenberg Space Force Base?
The Vandenberg Space Force Baseis a space launch facility located in Santa Barbara County in Southern California.
Founded in 1941, the location was once called Vandenberg Air Force Base. While it is a military installation, the site also accommodatesboth civilian and commercial space launchesfor organizations such as NASA and SpaceX.
Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 30 oversees launch activities at Vandenberg, along with missile testing conducted on the base.
Eric Lagatta serves as the Space Connect correspondent for the USA TODAY Network. You can contact him via [email protected].
This piece first was published on Ventura County Star:SpaceX rocket set to launch 2 NASA satellites into space: Key details about the TRACERS mission
