Storm delays satellite launch
Sunday, August 26th, 2012 1:03:23 by Ahmad Mehdi
Storm delays satellite launch
A tropical storm has forced the US space agency to delay the launch of a pair of satellites to Earth’s harsh radiation belts, just four minutes before the rockets fired.
The countdown was halted early on Saturday for the second time in as many days.
NASA initially said it would try again on Sunday. But with Tropical Storm Isaac bearing towards Florida, launch managers decided to move the unmanned Atlas V rocket back into its hangar until the storm passed.
They’re aiming for a Thursday launch.
On Friday, a tracking beacon on the rocket held up the flight, which will carry NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes.
The twin satellites are designed to study Earth’s radiation belts. Scientists say the two-year, $US686 million mission will improve space forecasting. The goal is to better guard against solar storms.
Spacecraft can be damaged, and astronauts hurt, from severe solar outbursts. Life on Earth also can be disrupted.
Tags: hard working, NASA, september, storm, Thursday, tropical, US, ZavisaShort URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=31437
Posted by Ahmad Mehdi
on Aug 26 2012. Filed under Sci-Tech.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0.
You can leave a response or trackback to this entry
