Cusp Region Experiment→Overview overallsection Page: 1

An Overview of the C-REX Sounding Rocket Mission Into Earth’sGeomagnetic Cusp Near Svalbard1

Cusp

Region

EXperiment

NASA, NSROC-2, University of Alaska, Clemson University, Andoya Space Center, University College

London, Unis, Kochi-Tech

1Background image by Jason Ahrns; C-REX logo by Miguel Larsen

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 2

Scientific Problem: A Thermospheric Density Anomaly

This mission is a collaborative project led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks.Science Question: Why is there always a region of enhanced neutral mass densityat 400 km altitude, associated with Earth’s geomagnetic cusp?

Figure: Neutral mass density measurements from the CHAMP satellite for years 2002 to 2005.The top row is for the northern hemisphere, whereas the bottom row is for the southernhemisphere. The density anomaly corresponds to the red regions.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 3

The Density Anomaly is Always Present

Most observations ofthe density anomalycome from CHAMP,which saw mass densityenhancements as largeas 100%, although thetypical factor was morelike 30%.

Enhancements were observed when CHAMP passed through latitudes similar to orslightly equatorward of the geomagnetic cusp at magnetic local times near noon.

The anomaly was seen on almost all cusp passes, regardless of geophysicalconditions.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 4

Fluid Configurations That Could Maintain the Anomaly

Could the following fluid configurations sustain the observed anomaly:

Static: Local heating could increase the scale height and so locally elevate thedensity contours. But, for a given height, this would also increase the pressurelocally. A static configuration would not balance the resulting horizontal pressuregradient.

Geostrophic: The horizontal pressure gradient associated with a 1.5× densityenhancement occurring over a region ∼ 500km wide at 78◦ latitude would requirea geostrophic wind of about 15kms−1 to balance it. This is unrealistic.

Cyclostrophic: An inward force is required to “balance” the (apparent) centrifugalforce inside a vortex. This can only occur around a low pressure region, whereasthe observed density increase must be associated with high pressure if theatmosphere is to maintain hydrostatic balance.

The only viable flow configuration is one of continuous vertical wind andassociated horizontal divergence.

With this experiment, we hope to observe this vertical wind and divergence inaction.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 4

Fluid Configurations That Could Maintain the Anomaly

Could the following fluid configurations sustain the observed anomaly:

Static: Local heating could increase the scale height and so locally elevate thedensity contours. But, for a given height, this would also increase the pressurelocally. A static configuration would not balance the resulting horizontal pressuregradient.

Geostrophic: The horizontal pressure gradient associated with a 1.5× densityenhancement occurring over a region ∼ 500km wide at 78◦ latitude would requirea geostrophic wind of about 15kms−1 to balance it. This is unrealistic.

Cyclostrophic: An inward force is required to “balance” the (apparent) centrifugalforce inside a vortex. This can only occur around a low pressure region, whereasthe observed density increase must be associated with high pressure if theatmosphere is to maintain hydrostatic balance.

The only viable flow configuration is one of continuous vertical wind andassociated horizontal divergence.

With this experiment, we hope to observe this vertical wind and divergence inaction.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 4

Fluid Configurations That Could Maintain the Anomaly

Could the following fluid configurations sustain the observed anomaly:

Static: Local heating could increase the scale height and so locally elevate thedensity contours. But, for a given height, this would also increase the pressurelocally. A static configuration would not balance the resulting horizontal pressuregradient.

Geostrophic: The horizontal pressure gradient associated with a 1.5× densityenhancement occurring over a region ∼ 500km wide at 78◦ latitude would requirea geostrophic wind of about 15kms−1 to balance it. This is unrealistic.

Cyclostrophic: An inward force is required to “balance” the (apparent) centrifugalforce inside a vortex. This can only occur around a low pressure region, whereasthe observed density increase must be associated with high pressure if theatmosphere is to maintain hydrostatic balance.

The only viable flow configuration is one of continuous vertical wind andassociated horizontal divergence.

With this experiment, we hope to observe this vertical wind and divergence inaction.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 4

Fluid Configurations That Could Maintain the Anomaly

Could the following fluid configurations sustain the observed anomaly:

Static: Local heating could increase the scale height and so locally elevate thedensity contours. But, for a given height, this would also increase the pressurelocally. A static configuration would not balance the resulting horizontal pressuregradient.

Geostrophic: The horizontal pressure gradient associated with a 1.5× densityenhancement occurring over a region ∼ 500km wide at 78◦ latitude would requirea geostrophic wind of about 15kms−1 to balance it. This is unrealistic.

Cyclostrophic: An inward force is required to “balance” the (apparent) centrifugalforce inside a vortex. This can only occur around a low pressure region, whereasthe observed density increase must be associated with high pressure if theatmosphere is to maintain hydrostatic balance.

The only viable flow configuration is one of continuous vertical wind andassociated horizontal divergence.

With this experiment, we hope to observe this vertical wind and divergence inaction.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 4

Fluid Configurations That Could Maintain the Anomaly

Could the following fluid configurations sustain the observed anomaly:

Static: Local heating could increase the scale height and so locally elevate thedensity contours. But, for a given height, this would also increase the pressurelocally. A static configuration would not balance the resulting horizontal pressuregradient.

Geostrophic: The horizontal pressure gradient associated with a 1.5× densityenhancement occurring over a region ∼ 500km wide at 78◦ latitude would requirea geostrophic wind of about 15kms−1 to balance it. This is unrealistic.

Cyclostrophic: An inward force is required to “balance” the (apparent) centrifugalforce inside a vortex. This can only occur around a low pressure region, whereasthe observed density increase must be associated with high pressure if theatmosphere is to maintain hydrostatic balance.

The only viable flow configuration is one of continuous vertical wind andassociated horizontal divergence.

With this experiment, we hope to observe this vertical wind and divergence inaction.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 5

Understanding the Density Anomaly

The leading candidate driver mechanisms for explaining the density anomalyinvolve soft auroral precipitation driving neutral upwelling that starts above∼ 250km altitude.

Most viable candidate mechanisms involve upwelling and horizontal divergence ofthe wind.

The goal is therefore to “zoom in” and map the three-dimensional neutral and ionflow fields within the region of the density anomaly. We will test whether thatflow is consistent with establishing the observed density enhancement.

Ground based instrumentation will support the mission. This includes the EISCATSvalbard Radar, the University College London all-sky Fabry-Perot spectrometerat Longyearbyen, and various instruments run by UNIS.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 5

Understanding the Density Anomaly

The leading candidate driver mechanisms for explaining the density anomalyinvolve soft auroral precipitation driving neutral upwelling that starts above∼ 250km altitude.

Most viable candidate mechanisms involve upwelling and horizontal divergence ofthe wind.

The goal is therefore to “zoom in” and map the three-dimensional neutral and ionflow fields within the region of the density anomaly. We will test whether thatflow is consistent with establishing the observed density enhancement.

Ground based instrumentation will support the mission. This includes the EISCATSvalbard Radar, the University College London all-sky Fabry-Perot spectrometerat Longyearbyen, and various instruments run by UNIS.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 5

Understanding the Density Anomaly

The leading candidate driver mechanisms for explaining the density anomalyinvolve soft auroral precipitation driving neutral upwelling that starts above∼ 250km altitude.

Most viable candidate mechanisms involve upwelling and horizontal divergence ofthe wind.

The goal is therefore to “zoom in” and map the three-dimensional neutral and ionflow fields within the region of the density anomaly. We will test whether thatflow is consistent with establishing the observed density enhancement.

Ground based instrumentation will support the mission. This includes the EISCATSvalbard Radar, the University College London all-sky Fabry-Perot spectrometerat Longyearbyen, and various instruments run by UNIS.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Science Problem overallsection Page: 5

Understanding the Density Anomaly

The leading candidate driver mechanisms for explaining the density anomalyinvolve soft auroral precipitation driving neutral upwelling that starts above∼ 250km altitude.

Most viable candidate mechanisms involve upwelling and horizontal divergence ofthe wind.

The goal is therefore to “zoom in” and map the three-dimensional neutral and ionflow fields within the region of the density anomaly. We will test whether thatflow is consistent with establishing the observed density enhancement.

Ground based instrumentation will support the mission. This includes the EISCATSvalbard Radar, the University College London all-sky Fabry-Perot spectrometerat Longyearbyen, and various instruments run by UNIS.

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Why We Care overallsection Page: 6

Mass Density Affects Orbital Decay

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Why We Care overallsection Page: 7

Satellite Collisions

Events where two satellites approach within several kilometers of each other occurnumerous times each day. Even in 2007, operators of the Iridium constellationwere receiving 400 notifications per week for predicted approaches within 5 km oftheir satellites.2

At 16:56 UTC on February 10, 2009 the still operational satellite “Iridium 33”collided at 42,000 km/h with the defunct “Kosmos-2251”, at an altitude of789 kilometers above Siberia.

This is the first known accidental hypervelocity collision between two full-sizeintact satellites orbiting Earth.

The orbital prediction company Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) had for many daysbeen predicting a close encounter between these two satellites.

However the closest approach prediction was 117 m (forecast on February 6), andby the next day the forecast distance had grown again, to 1.243 km. It did notsubsequently drop below 600 m.

Following loss of Iridium 33’s signal, the US Space Surveillance tracked 382 piecesof debris from it, and 893 pieces from Cosmos 2251.

2Source information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_satellite_collision

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Why We Care overallsection Page: 7

Satellite Collisions

Events where two satellites approach within several kilometers of each other occurnumerous times each day. Even in 2007, operators of the Iridium constellationwere receiving 400 notifications per week for predicted approaches within 5 km oftheir satellites.2

At 16:56 UTC on February 10, 2009 the still operational satellite “Iridium 33”collided at 42,000 km/h with the defunct “Kosmos-2251”, at an altitude of789 kilometers above Siberia.

This is the first known accidental hypervelocity collision between two full-sizeintact satellites orbiting Earth.

The orbital prediction company Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) had for many daysbeen predicting a close encounter between these two satellites.

However the closest approach prediction was 117 m (forecast on February 6), andby the next day the forecast distance had grown again, to 1.243 km. It did notsubsequently drop below 600 m.

Following loss of Iridium 33’s signal, the US Space Surveillance tracked 382 piecesof debris from it, and 893 pieces from Cosmos 2251.

2Source information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_satellite_collision

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Why We Care overallsection Page: 7

Satellite Collisions

Events where two satellites approach within several kilometers of each other occurnumerous times each day. Even in 2007, operators of the Iridium constellationwere receiving 400 notifications per week for predicted approaches within 5 km oftheir satellites.2

At 16:56 UTC on February 10, 2009 the still operational satellite “Iridium 33”collided at 42,000 km/h with the defunct “Kosmos-2251”, at an altitude of789 kilometers above Siberia.

This is the first known accidental hypervelocity collision between two full-sizeintact satellites orbiting Earth.

The orbital prediction company Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) had for many daysbeen predicting a close encounter between these two satellites.

However the closest approach prediction was 117 m (forecast on February 6), andby the next day the forecast distance had grown again, to 1.243 km. It did notsubsequently drop below 600 m.

Following loss of Iridium 33’s signal, the US Space Surveillance tracked 382 piecesof debris from it, and 893 pieces from Cosmos 2251.

2Source information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_satellite_collision

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Why We Care overallsection Page: 7

Satellite Collisions

Events where two satellites approach within several kilometers of each other occurnumerous times each day. Even in 2007, operators of the Iridium constellationwere receiving 400 notifications per week for predicted approaches within 5 km oftheir satellites.2

At 16:56 UTC on February 10, 2009 the still operational satellite “Iridium 33”collided at 42,000 km/h with the defunct “Kosmos-2251”, at an altitude of789 kilometers above Siberia.

This is the first known accidental hypervelocity collision between two full-sizeintact satellites orbiting Earth.

The orbital prediction company Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) had for many daysbeen predicting a close encounter between these two satellites.

However the closest approach prediction was 117 m (forecast on February 6), andby the next day the forecast distance had grown again, to 1.243 km. It did notsubsequently drop below 600 m.

Following loss of Iridium 33’s signal, the US Space Surveillance tracked 382 piecesof debris from it, and 893 pieces from Cosmos 2251.

2Source information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_satellite_collision

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Why We Care overallsection Page: 7

Satellite Collisions

Events where two satellites approach within several kilometers of each other occurnumerous times each day. Even in 2007, operators of the Iridium constellationwere receiving 400 notifications per week for predicted approaches within 5 km oftheir satellites.2

At 16:56 UTC on February 10, 2009 the still operational satellite “Iridium 33”collided at 42,000 km/h with the defunct “Kosmos-2251”, at an altitude of789 kilometers above Siberia.

This is the first known accidental hypervelocity collision between two full-sizeintact satellites orbiting Earth.

The orbital prediction company Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI) had for many daysbeen predicting a close encounter between these two satellites.

However the closest approach prediction was 117 m (forecast on February 6), andby the next day the forecast distance had grown again, to 1.243 km. It did notsubsequently drop below 600 m.

Following loss of Iridium 33’s signal, the US Space Surveillance tracked 382 piecesof debris from it, and 893 pieces from Cosmos 2251.

2Source information from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_satellite_collision

Cusp Region Experiment→Overview→Why We Care overallsection Page: 8

Simulation of the Collision Between Iridium-33 and Kosmos-2251

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSmggU0UOYY

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Vapor Tracers overallsection Page: 9

Measuring Winds Using Vapor Tracers

We can measure winds in the thermosphere from the drift of “vapor tracer” cloudsreleased at high altitude by a rocket.

But this onlymeasures windvariations alongthe trajectory.

To determinedivergence weneed windmeasurementsresolved overthree spatialdimensions.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Vapor Tracers overallsection Page: 10

Visualization of the Planned Mission

A Black-Brant 12rocket launchedfrom Andoya willeject 24 vapor tracercannisters during itsupward flight.

They cannisters willhen separate and, onthe way down, theywill deploy tracerclouds throughout athree-dimensionalvolume spanningaltitudes between150km and 400km

over the GreenlandSea west ofSvalbard.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 11

Observing Geometry

To be visible at all,the vapor tracersmust be sunlit attheir altitudes of150km and above.

But skies on theground must bedark.

So the experiment isonly possible duringa small range solarelevation angles,corresponding tovery specific times.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 11

Observing Geometry

To be visible at all,the vapor tracersmust be sunlit attheir altitudes of150km and above.

But skies on theground must bedark.

So the experiment isonly possible duringa small range solarelevation angles,corresponding tovery specific times.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 11

Observing Geometry

To be visible at all,the vapor tracersmust be sunlit attheir altitudes of150km and above.

But skies on theground must bedark.

So the experiment isonly possible duringa small range solarelevation angles,corresponding tovery specific times.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 12

Why Andoya and Svalbard?

Andoya is the only range that can currently launch a Black Brant 12 safely intothe cusp region.

Svalbard is the only corresponding ground site far enough north to have dark skiesat local noon.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 13

We Even Have an Aircraft

Triangulating on the tracer clouds requires photographing them from two separatelook directions.

But our advice was thatgetting two sites onSvalbard withsimultaneously clear skieswould be tough inNovember.

So we convinced NASAto send us an aircraft —which guarantees thatwe’ll have at least onesite clear.

It also allows us toincrease our triangulationbaseline somewhat.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 13

We Even Have an Aircraft

Triangulating on the tracer clouds requires photographing them from two separatelook directions.

But our advice was thatgetting two sites onSvalbard withsimultaneously clear skieswould be tough inNovember.

So we convinced NASAto send us an aircraft —which guarantees thatwe’ll have at least onesite clear.

It also allows us toincrease our triangulationbaseline somewhat.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 13

We Even Have an Aircraft

Triangulating on the tracer clouds requires photographing them from two separatelook directions.

But our advice was thatgetting two sites onSvalbard withsimultaneously clear skieswould be tough inNovember.

So we convinced NASAto send us an aircraft —which guarantees thatwe’ll have at least onesite clear.

It also allows us toincrease our triangulationbaseline somewhat.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 13

We Even Have an Aircraft

Triangulating on the tracer clouds requires photographing them from two separatelook directions.

But our advice was thatgetting two sites onSvalbard withsimultaneously clear skieswould be tough inNovember.

So we convinced NASAto send us an aircraft —which guarantees thatwe’ll have at least onesite clear.

It also allows us toincrease our triangulationbaseline somewhat.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 14

Experiment Overview Maps

This map shows thenominal tracer releaselocations, plus observingsites at Longyearbyen,Ny Alesund, and on theaircraft.

Yellow contours showthe duration of theobserving window for aground based camera ateach location.

The blue (partial) circleshows the region withinwhich we couldcurrently observe fromthe aircraft.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 14

Experiment Overview Maps

This map shows thenominal tracer releaselocations, plus observingsites at Longyearbyen,Ny Alesund, and on theaircraft.

Yellow contours showthe duration of theobserving window for aground based camera ateach location.

The blue (partial) circleshows the region withinwhich we couldcurrently observe fromthe aircraft.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 14

Experiment Overview Maps

This map shows thenominal tracer releaselocations, plus observingsites at Longyearbyen,Ny Alesund, and on theaircraft.

Yellow contours showthe duration of theobserving window for aground based camera ateach location.

The blue (partial) circleshows the region withinwhich we couldcurrently observe fromthe aircraft.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 15

Predicted Appearance of the Puff Constellation

We now have software thatcan predict how thechemical puffs will appearfrom any ground or aircraftbased observing location.

The software also predictsthe appearance of thebackground star field, whichshould help our observersorient their cameras.

Here is an example showingthe predicted puffconstellation for a nominalrocket trajectory, as seenfrom Longyearbyen onDecember 1.

Cusp Region Experiment→Mission Description→Experiment Geometry overallsection Page: 16

More Examples of the Puff Constellation Appearance

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Sub-Payloads overallsection Page: 17

Rocket-Propelled Sub-Payloads

To measure wind gradients with therequired accuracy (∼ 0.0002s−1)demands wind measurements separatedover baselines that are 80 to 100km

long.

The only way to eject sub-payloadsfast enough to achieve this separationis to propel them out with small rocketmotors.

This shows a test of the deploymentsystem that we conducted earlier thisyear.

Note the “rifled” launch tube. This isto spin-stabilize the sub-payload,because it is launchedexo-atmospherically, where fins are notuseful.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Sub-Payloads overallsection Page: 18

An Example Sub-Payload

This shows one of the ejectable sub-payloads.Material to produce the vapor cloud is the front section. The rear sectioncontains electronics, batteries, and a small rocket motor.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Sub-Payloads overallsection Page: 19

Sub-Payload Electronics Section

This photo shows how the batteries and electronics are packaged around thesub-payload rocket motor.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Sub-Payloads overallsection Page: 20

Test Burn of the Small Rocket Motor Under Vacuum Conditions

We built a special “rough service” vacuum tank for testing the small motors.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Sub-Payloads overallsection Page: 21

Releasing the Vapor

The vapor clouds are released by detonating a small explosive.

This shows a test of the system, conducted on the ground.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Test Releases overallsection Page: 22

First Test Flight from Poker Flat —Feb 2010

This is an ultra slow-motion video showing the launch of first test of the ejectablesub-payloads, conducted in Alaska in February 2010.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Test Releases overallsection Page: 23

Visual Appearance

This time-lapse was taken with a simple DLSR camera; it gives a good idea ofhow the clouds look by eye.Note how the neutral and ion clouds separate — ions stay fixed to the

−→B field,

whereas neutral drift with the wind.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Test Releases overallsection Page: 24

Low Light Camera View

Tracer clouds releasedabove 200km altitudedisperse quickly, becausethe atmosphere is sotenuous at high altitude.

Tracking the tracerclouds for long periodsrequires expensivelow-light cameras, whichgive results like these.

While the resolution islower, this camera is farmore sensitive than aDSLR.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Rocket Vehicle overallsection Page: 25

. Vehicle Layout

The launch vehicle will be afour-stage Black Brant-12 soundingrocket, with a total length atlaunch of 21.1m.

There are no scientific instrumentsaboard, other than the 24 ejectablesub-payloads.

There is telemetry (for post-flightdiagnostics) and an attitude controlsystem that is used to orient theejections.

A real-time onboard trajectorycalculation will update eachsub-payload’s release time prior toejecting it. This is required toensure the releases occur at thescience altitudes we want.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Rocket Vehicle overallsection Page: 25

. Vehicle Layout

The launch vehicle will be afour-stage Black Brant-12 soundingrocket, with a total length atlaunch of 21.1m.

There are no scientific instrumentsaboard, other than the 24 ejectablesub-payloads.

There is telemetry (for post-flightdiagnostics) and an attitude controlsystem that is used to orient theejections.

A real-time onboard trajectorycalculation will update eachsub-payload’s release time prior toejecting it. This is required toensure the releases occur at thescience altitudes we want.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Rocket Vehicle overallsection Page: 25

. Vehicle Layout

The launch vehicle will be afour-stage Black Brant-12 soundingrocket, with a total length atlaunch of 21.1m.

There are no scientific instrumentsaboard, other than the 24 ejectablesub-payloads.

There is telemetry (for post-flightdiagnostics) and an attitude controlsystem that is used to orient theejections.

A real-time onboard trajectorycalculation will update eachsub-payload’s release time prior toejecting it. This is required toensure the releases occur at thescience altitudes we want.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Rocket Vehicle overallsection Page: 25

. Vehicle Layout

The launch vehicle will be afour-stage Black Brant-12 soundingrocket, with a total length atlaunch of 21.1m.

There are no scientific instrumentsaboard, other than the 24 ejectablesub-payloads.

There is telemetry (for post-flightdiagnostics) and an attitude controlsystem that is used to orient theejections.

A real-time onboard trajectorycalculation will update eachsub-payload’s release time prior toejecting it. This is required toensure the releases occur at thescience altitudes we want.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Rocket Vehicle overallsection Page: 26

Payload Integration

This photo shows one half of the “stack” of ejectables, seen during payload integrationat NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

Cusp Region Experiment→Rocket Description→Rocket Vehicle overallsection Page: 27

More Payload Photosdeployment bay.jpg

These are two more views of the C-REXpayload, seen during integration andtesting at Wallops Flight Facility.

Cusp Region Experiment→Observing the Releases overallsection Page: 28

Observing the Releases

Just about anywhere on Svalbard with a good view to the soutwest will be wellpositioned for viewing and/or photographing these releases.

The main valley of Longyearbyen is not ideal,because the lowest releases will beobscured by mountains west of town.

But places along the road out beyond the airport would likely provide very goodsites.

I will in the coming week or so setup a web page with status updates. This pageshould be used to check whether a launch is likely (or imminent) each day.

Since we need good weather, you can probably guess for yourself how like alaunch is — but to make it worth setting up cameras it will be nice to have some“offi cial” status information.

Cusp Region Experiment→Observing the Releases overallsection Page: 28

Observing the Releases

Just about anywhere on Svalbard with a good view to the soutwest will be wellpositioned for viewing and/or photographing these releases.

The main valley of Longyearbyen is not ideal,because the lowest releases will beobscured by mountains west of town.

But places along the road out beyond the airport would likely provide very goodsites.

I will in the coming week or so setup a web page with status updates. This pageshould be used to check whether a launch is likely (or imminent) each day.

Since we need good weather, you can probably guess for yourself how like alaunch is — but to make it worth setting up cameras it will be nice to have some“offi cial” status information.

Cusp Region Experiment→Observing the Releases overallsection Page: 28

Observing the Releases

Just about anywhere on Svalbard with a good view to the soutwest will be wellpositioned for viewing and/or photographing these releases.

The main valley of Longyearbyen is not ideal,because the lowest releases will beobscured by mountains west of town.

But places along the road out beyond the airport would likely provide very goodsites.

I will in the coming week or so setup a web page with status updates. This pageshould be used to check whether a launch is likely (or imminent) each day.

Since we need good weather, you can probably guess for yourself how like alaunch is — but to make it worth setting up cameras it will be nice to have some“offi cial” status information.

Cusp Region Experiment→Observing the Releases overallsection Page: 28

Observing the Releases

Just about anywhere on Svalbard with a good view to the soutwest will be wellpositioned for viewing and/or photographing these releases.

The main valley of Longyearbyen is not ideal,because the lowest releases will beobscured by mountains west of town.

But places along the road out beyond the airport would likely provide very goodsites.

I will in the coming week or so setup a web page with status updates. This pageshould be used to check whether a launch is likely (or imminent) each day.

Since we need good weather, you can probably guess for yourself how like alaunch is — but to make it worth setting up cameras it will be nice to have some“offi cial” status information.

Cusp Region Experiment→Observing the Releases overallsection Page: 29

Launch Window

This table shows our current time windows during which the rocket launch and thefirst tracer releases would occur.

Cusp Region Experiment→Observing the Releases overallsection Page: 30

Please —Take Lots of Pretty Photos!

These releases seen above the gorgeous mountains of Svalbard should make for aonce-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity!