The purpose of Endurance mission was to make the first measurement the magnitude and structure of the electric field generated by Earth's ionosphere. The requirements to accomplish this objective are as follows: 1) launch into open magnetic field lines, away from the cusp and auroral zones; 2) minimize down-range traverse, flying as vertically as possible to obtain quasi-vertical profiles over a narrow range of flux tubes, location, and SZA; 3) fly above neutral exobase transition region; 4) fly in daytime; 5) launch during geomagnetically quiet time; and 6) launch during low EUV conditions to minimize photoelectron scattering.

The Principal Investigator is Dr. Collinson/NASA GSFC.

For more information on the Endurance mission, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2022/sun/nasa-rocket-to-measure-earth-s-life-supporting-secret-a-weak-electric-field

The Oriole III-A is a three stage sounding rocket with a Terrier first stage, Oriole second stage, and a Nihka third stage.

Additional sounding rocket vehicles.

The Endurance mission was launched from Svalbard, Norway on May 11, 2022.