All four vehicles in the HEX 2 mission were successfully launched from Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska on February 14, 2007. The first vehicle 41.061, a Terrier-Orion, was launched at 09:22:01Z, followed by 35.037, a Black Brant X at 09:27:11Z, the third and fourth vehicles, 41.063 and 41.062, both Terrier-Orions, were launched at 09:36:11Z and 09:38:11Z, respectively.
Visit
the Mission Planning Lab (MPL) website to view a simulation of the
of the HEX mission.
Information on the HEX 2 mission
HEX 2 - Investigations
of Mesoscale Drivers for Vertical and Horizontal Winds in the High-Latitude
Lower Thermosphere
The fundamental
scientific objective for this mission is, for the first time, to measure
all terms in the atmospheric mass continuity equation, using a combination
of rockets and various ground-based diagnostics facilities.
Four rockets will be launched to conduct this mission. All four payloads
will consist of both instruments and chemical releases. The H-rocket (41.061
Terrier Orion) will be oriented to propel the payload on a near horizontal trajectory
and will consist of an aft chemical section and a forward instrumented section. Three
V-rockets (35.037, 41.063 and 41.062, one Black Brant X and two Terrier-Orions's)
are comprised of traditional chemical release experiments with a forward instrument
package.
Link to HEX information at the Geophysical Institute/Poker Flat Research Range