The first launch opportunity of a Pegasus XL rocket, carrying NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), was skipped due to communication issues between the ground team at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Northrop Grumman's L-1011 aircraft, Stargazer. The launch team is re-evaluating; the launch window remains open until 10:55 p.m. EDT.
Northrop Grumman's Stargazer aircraft, carrying the company's Pegasus XL rocket with NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), has entered the drop box – a 40-mile long area that the rocket can be dropped in. At this point, Stargazer has reached the required altitude of 39,000 feet. In just a few moments, the rocket will drop from …
Follow along on NASA TV and the agency's website for the live launch broadcast, happening now. Before NASA's Pegasus XL rocket can carry the agency's ICON satellite to low-Earth orbit, Northrop Grumman's L-1011 Stargazer aircraft has to reach an altitude of 39,000 feet, which requires about an hour of flight time. Once there, Pegasus will …
Northrop Grumman's Stargazer aircraft is airborne after taking off from the Skid Strip runway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Stargazer is carrying the company's Pegasus XL rocket – a small expendable rocket that is the only operational air-launched rocket in the world. Pegasus is attached beneath the aircraft and will be carried to an …
Stargazer's engines have powered up on the Skid Strip runway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Takeoff is scheduled for 8:33 p.m. EDT. Stick with us here on the blog for live updates.
A Northrop Grumman L-1011 Stargazer aircraft is positioned for takeoff from the Skid Strip runway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Takeoff is scheduled for 8:33 EDT tonight. Attached to the aircraft is a Pegasus XL rocket, carrying NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, satellite. Weather officials are predicting an 80% chance of favorable weather …
The Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) will launch tonight on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket from the company's Stargazer L-1011 aircraft. The Stargazer will take off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 8:33 p.m. EDT. The first launch attempt for ICON is 9:30 p.m. EDT. Follow live coverage here on the blog as well …
By Grace Callahan /HUNGA TONGA-HUNGA HA'APAI, KINGDOM OF TONGA/ Hello from the newest land mass on earth! I'm Grace, and today was my first day on Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha'apai. (I spent yesterday on the ship, helping to ensure that our anchor wouldn't slip and allow us to be blown out to sea.) After breakfast …
Due to weather in the area, NASA and Northrop Grumman have decided to move the Pegasus XL and ICON launch 24-hours to October 10 at 9:30 p.m., with takeoff of the Stargazer L-1011 at 8:32 p.m. NASA's live broadcast will begin tomorrow at 9:15 p.m. on www.nasa.gov/live. The teams are not working any issues. The …
by Frank Wenninger and Michael Tirone /HUNGA TONGA-HUNGA HA'APAI, KINGDOM OF TONGA/ As we labored down into the zodiac with our gear and rations, the ocean splashed violently around us. Those with hats cowered under the power of the southeasterly winds, and those in the front surrendered to the incessant spraying of the ocean. The …
