Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 05:33:02 EDT
All five rockets were successful. First launch at 4:58 a.m. Reports as far south as Wilmington,NC; west to Charlestown, W.VA and north to Buffalo, NY. This concludes ATREX coverage. Next launch from Wallops is no earlier than late May.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 05:02:01 EDT
launch 4

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:59:24 EDT
launch 2

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:58:00 EDT
Launch 1

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:57:00 EDT
T-60 seconds

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:56:11 EDT
T-2 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:55:00 EDT
T-3 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:53:03 EDT
T-5 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:52:00 EDT
T-6 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:50:18 EDT
Launch target time is 4:58

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:50:01 EDT
T-8 minutes and counting

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:36:59 EDT
T-8 minutes and holding

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:35:05 EDT
T-10 minutes and counting

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:30:12 EDT
Picking up the count and hold at T-8 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 04:00:15 EDT
Resetting clock to T-15 minutes and holding. We have a red range because of a boat in the avoidance area. Expect the range to remain red for about 40 minutes.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 03:56:37 EDT
T-8 minutes and holding

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 03:53:59 EDT
T-10 minutes

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 03:46:55 EDT
Going to count down to 8 minutes and hold. Trying to beat a possible red range because of a boat in the avoidance area.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 03:37:38 EDT
We will not launch the test rockets.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 03:33:54 EDT
Currently out of limit on several wind measurements. Window goes to 5 a.m.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 03:30:10 EDT
Vertical payload checks are complete

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:57:13 EDT
Conducting vertical payload checks

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:54:46 EDT
Poll to conduct vertical payload checks

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:50:20 EDT
Rockets nearly set in vertical position. Next up will be the vertical payload checks.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:32:56 EDT
Loading test rockets

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:29:35 EDT
Lineup: Load test rockets, raise sounding rockets to launch position, conduct payload vertical checks and then launch test rockets

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:19:25 EDT
Elevating pad 1 to nominal launch settings

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:18:30 EDT
Payload test is complete. Set to load test rockets.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 02:05:52 EDT
Within wind limits for 4 of the rockets. One is still out of limits. Looks like we will get to launch test rockets. These are small rockets to test the radar systems.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 01:46:02 EDT
T-15 minutes and holding. Launch window goes until around 5 a.m.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 01:45:11 EDT
Currently turning on the payload and testing telemtery links

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 01:38:36 EDT
All five shelters are removed

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 01:19:06 EDT
removing the shelters

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 01:06:36 EDT
Removed one shelter to see how the protective boxes will hold up under current winds.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 01:02:10 EDT
T-60 minutes and counting to the opening of the launch window.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 00:40:46 EDT
Winds are currently not acceptable to launch any of the five rockets. Forecast is for winds to be within limits near the end of the launch window.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-27 at 00:00:17 EDT
T-2 hours and counting.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-26 at 23:00:49 EDT
T-3 hours and counting. Winds still a hinderance tonight. Still waiting to remove launch pad shelters.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-26 at 22:17:56 EDT
For full information on the ATREX mission go to http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex.html

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-26 at 22:16:26 EDT
Winds still above acceptable level to move pad shelters.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-26 at 22:00:00 EDT
T-4 hours and counting

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-26 at 21:46:18 EDT
Next step will be to remove shelters from the rockets. Winds are currently to high to remove the shelters.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-26 at 20:59:37 EDT
T-5 hours and counting for the launch of the ATREX mission.

Posted by RCC on 2012-03-25 at 19:50:35 EDT
NASA managers have given a "go" for a countdown leading to the launch of five suborbital sounding rockets early in the morning March 27 on a science mission that will briefly create a milky white cloud that may be visible along a large portion of the U.S. east coast. The launch window for the mission will be between 2 and 5 a.m., Tuesday, March 27. The countdown will begin at 9 p.m., Monday, March 26. Clear skies are predicted for the Tuesday launch. However, ground level winds may exceed allowable limits for the flights to occur.Web Cast and Ustream coverage will begin at 10 p.m., Monday, March 26.