Seven rockets carrying experiments used to study the aurora are scheduled for launch from Poker Flat Research Range this winter. The projects include a group of four rockets launched in rapid succession to measure wind in the upper atmosphere and one rocket that will turn on its side mid-flight, allowing it to pierce a curtain of aurora horizontally.

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A single sounding rocket is scheduled to launch in January from Poker Flat Research Range when weather and aurora conditions are suitable. The rocket, a Black Brant XII, is part of an experiment designed to show how the aurora affects radio signals such as Global Positioning System (GPS) signals.

The rocket will be launched 700 km high through a bright and active aurora display, and will land in the Arctic Ocean. Once in flight, the rocket will release three payloads in a triangular configuration.

CONTACT: Ned Rozell, GI science writer, 907-474-7468, nrozell [at] gi [dot] alaska [dot] edu

Fairbanks, Alaska—During a vivid aurora display, a NASA sounding rocket launched from Poker Flat Research Range and arced over northern Alaska at 12:49 a.m. Alaska Standard Time on Feb. 16, 2010. The rocket, one of the largest used at Poker Flat, flew high over Kaktovik, gathering data on electric particle and wave interactions in the upper atmosphere.