Third Time's A Charm For CYGNSS | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

 Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-05.06.24

Airborne-NextGen-04.30.24

 Airborne-Unlimited-05.01.24 Airborne-AffordableFlyers--05.02.24

Airborne-Unlimited-05.03.24

Fri, Dec 16, 2016

Third Time's A Charm For CYGNSS

Eight Satellites Launched Thursday Morning Using Pegasus Rocket

After two aborted attempts, NASA and Orbital ATK launched a constellation of eight microsatellites using a Pegasus rocket released from Orbital's Stargazer L-1011 aircraft Thursday morning.

The rocket carried eight satellites that will be part of the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS). The spacecraft will monitor tropical cyclones using GPS data to more accurately track storm speed, course and strength.

Spaceflight Insider reports that five seconds after release, the Pegasus rocket fired its first stage for 65 seconds. The second stage burn lasted 161 seconds, at which point the payload fairing was jettisoned. The third stage then ignited, and lofted the satellites into their assigned orbit.

Science operations are expected to begin two months after launch.

The small size of the satellites means they cannot carry fuel that would allow them to be steered to study specific storms. But multiple satellites means that any point in the tropics can expect a flyover approximately every seven hours.

(Image from NASA TV video)

FMI: www.nasa.gov, www.orbitalatk.com

Advertisement

More News

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.05.24): Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System

Omnidirectional Approach Lighting System ODALS consists of seven omnidirectional flashing lights located in the approach area of a nonprecision runway. Five lights are located on t>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.05.24)

"Polaris Dawn, the first of the program’s three human spaceflight missions, is targeted to launch to orbit no earlier than summer 2024. During the five-day mission, the crew >[...]

Airborne 05.06.24: Gone West-Dick Rutan, ICON BK Update, SpaceX EVA Suit

Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, M>[...]

Airborne 05.03.24: Advanced Powerplant Solutions, PRA Runway Woes, Drone Racing

Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.06xx.24)

“Our aircrews are trained and capable of rapidly shifting from operational missions to humanitarian roles. We planned to demonstrate how we, and our BORSTAR partners, respond>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne-NextGen 05.07.24: AI-Piloted F-16, AgEagle, 1st 2 WorldView Sats

Airborne 05.06.24: Gone West-Dick Rutan, ICON BK Update, SpaceX EVA Suit

Airborne 05.03.24: Advanced Powerplant Solutions, PRA Runway Woes, Drone Racing

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2024 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC