NASA to Test Rocket Technologies During Wallops Launch

NASA is all set to test several types of rocket technologies this weekend during a launch from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.

The Terrier-Improved Malemute sounding rocket is expected to deploy June 28 between 4 and 5 a.m. on Saturday. If weather delays the flight, backup launch days are Sunday, June 29 through July 2.

The technologies being tested during the launch include a deployment system for forming vapor clouds that help track winds and improvements in telemetry. The launch also will test flight recorders to increase the rates for data collected and transferred during flight.

During the test, two sub-payloads with mixtures of mainly barium, combined with small amounts of the natural earth metals lithium and strontium, will be deployed from the sounding rocket.

This metal combination will be burned rapidly, producing enough heat to vaporize the mixture and form clouds that will help to measure the wind in the transition area between the Earth's atmosphere and space.

The vapor releases occur at approximately 220 seconds after vehicle lift-off between 68 and 86 miles above the Earth. But NASA assures onlookers that this metal discharge is nothing to worry about.

"The byproducts from burning these metals do not pose a risk to health or the environment given their release in space," the space agency said in a press release.

Residents in the mid-Atlantic region may see the clouds, which may appear blue-green or blue-red because of the metallic mixture.

Those who wish to view the launch should get to the NASA Visitor Center at Wallops by 3:30 a.m.

For those who cannot get a front row seat, NASA will provide updates on how the launch is going on Facebook and Twitter.

Android users can download the "What's Up at Wallops" app, which contains information on the launch as well as a compass showing the best direction for viewing the event.

The test will also be streamed live on NASA's website.