36.261 UG Black Brant IX was launched from White Sands Missile Range on November 26, 2013.The goals of VeSpR (Venus Spectral Rocket) project are to obtain a high resolution spectrum of the Hydrogen (H) and Deuterium (D) Lyman alpha emissions from the atmosphere of Venus, and thereby determine the D/H ratio at the top of Venus’ atmosphere, and to obtain an H / Lyman-alpha image of the extended emissions from the Venus corona. Both the present D/H ratio and the extent of the emission from the coronal atmosphere are related to the present day escape of water from the atmosphere of Venus into space. The end goal is to learn of the history of water on Venus. The Principal Investigator is Dr. John Clarke/Boston University.

For more information about the VeSpR mission see:

http://www.nasa.gov/content/goddard/sounding-rocket-to-peek-at-atmosphere-of-venus/