Measuring the winds of space: UAF team prepares for 2014 launch
The sounding rocket released bright puffs of tri-methyl aluminum, which scientists track from the ground to study winds near the lower boundary of space. The streak on the bottom right is formed by chemicals that have been moved and distorted by winds and turbulence.
Photo Courtesy Carl Andersen
On a clear, cold night two winters ago in Fort Yukon, Carl Andersen watched a rocket he helped design pierce the upper atmosphere. He and three other scientists shot pictures as the rocket ejected bright puffs of chemicals in an inverted V formation more than 60 miles up.
“They were the brightest things in the sky,” Andersen said from his office at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Alaska Science Forum: Measuring the winds of space
By molly [dot] rettig [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu (Molly Rettig) 
On a clear, cold night two winters ago in Fort Yukon, Carl Andersen watched a rocket he helped design pierce the upper atmosphere. He and three other scientists shot pictures as the rocket ejected bright puffs of chemicals in an inverted V formation more than 60 miles up.
Donald Hampton
Oct. 2001-Present: Research Assistant Professor in Space Physics, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Nov. 2006-Oct. 2011: Optical Science Manager, Poker Flat Research Range and Geophysical Institute Chief Systems Engineer, Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
2005-2006: Chief Systems Engineer, Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
1999-2006: Systems Engineer, Deep Impact Instrument Suite, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
1996-1999: System Engineer, Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.
Lynch, K.A., D. Hampton, M. Mella, B. Zhang, H. Dahlgren, M. Disbrow, P.M. Kintner, M. Lessard, E. Lundberg and H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen. (2012). Structure and dynamics of the nightside poleward boundary: Sounding rocket and ground-based observations of auroral electron precipitation in a rayed curtain. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, A11202, doi: 10.1029/2012JA017691.
Nicolls, M.J., S.L. Vadas, J.W. Meriwether, M.G. Conde and D. Hampton. (2012). The phases and amplitudes of gravity waves propagating and dissipating in the thermosphere: Application to measurements over Alaska. Journal of Geophysical Research, 117, A05323, doi: 10.1029/2012JA017542.
Garner, T.W., R.B. Harris, J.A. York, C.S. Herbster, C.F. Minter III and D.L. Hampton. (2011). An auroral scintillation observation using precise, collocated GPS receivers. Radio Science, 46, RS1018, doi: 10.1029/2010RS004412.
Samara, M., R.G. Michell, K. Asamura, M. Hirahara, D.L. Hampton and H.C. Stenbaek-Nielsen. (2010). Ground-based observations of diffuse auroral structures in conjunction with Reimei measurements. Annales Geophysicae, 28, 873-881.
Semeter, J., T. Butler, C. Heinselman, M. Nicolls, J. Kelley, D. Hampton. (2009). Volumetric imaging of the auroral ionosphere: Intital results from PFISR. Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics, 71, 738-743.
A'Hearn, M.J. et al. (35 in all, including D.L. Hampton). (2011). EPOXI at Comet Hartley 2. Science, 332(6036), 1396-1400, doi: 10.1126/science.1204054.
Sunshine, J.M., et al. (19 in all, including D.L. Hampton). (2005). Exposed water ice deposits on the surface of Comet 9P/Tempel 1. Science, 311, 1453-1455.
A'Hearn, M.F., et al. (33 in all, including D.L. Hampton). (2005). Deep Impact: Excavating Comet Tempel 1. Science, 310, 258-264, 14 October 2005.
Hampton, D.L., J.W. Baer, M.A. Huisjen, C.C. Varner, A. Delamere, D.D. Wellnitz, M.F. A'Hearn and K.P. Klaasen. (2005). An overview of the instrument suite for the Deep Impact mission. Space Science Review, 117, 43-93.
Hampton, D.L., M.J. Heavner, E.M. Wescott and D.D. Sentman. (1996). Optical spectral characteristics of sprites. Geophysical Research Letters, 23, 89-92.
Successful launch from Poker Flat Research Range
but then, a camera stationed downrange at Kaktovik, Alaska showed some promising aurora. From there, everything lined up to create the perfect conditions for the VISIONS sounding rocket to launch. At 11:21 p.m.
PDF DownloadRocket parts picked up in northern Alaska
A rocket part recovery in summer 2012 from the Marsh Fork of the Canning River in northern Alaska.
Courtesy Poker Flat Research Range.
Following up on a NASA promise to recover spent rocket parts scattered for decades across northern Alaska, workers for Poker Flat Research Range recovered more than 7,000 pounds of debris from 17 different sites in 2012.
NASA evaluates rocket program at PFRR: Draft EIS prepared, public meetings set for 2012
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will host two public meetings to provide further information regarding its draft Environmental Impact Statement for its Sounding Rocket Program conducted at the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Poker Flat Research Range.
Stakeholders to set goals for unmanned aircraft in Alaska
Stakeholders to set goals for unmanned aircraft in Alaska
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 21, 2012
CONTACT: Amy Hartley, GI information officer, 907-474-5823, amy [dot] hartley [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu
Rockets & Gold: Poker Flat Research Range Open House recap
The rain never let up, but that didn’t stop the excitement of the attendees to the Rockets & Gold: Poker Flat Research Range Open House. The event, scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, drew more than 200 people who toured lower range facilities, built rockets, learned about unmanned aircraft and the history of Poker Flat.
