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-04.29.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.23.24

 Airborne-Unlimited-04.24.24 Airborne-FltTraining-04.25.24

Airborne-Unlimited-04.26.24

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 (04.28.24): Airport Marking Aids

Airport Marking Aids Markings used on runway and taxiway surfaces to identify a specific runway, a runway threshold, a centerline, a hold line, etc. A runway should be marked in ac>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.28.24)

"It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting crop-enhancing and other aerial applications at low altitudes and high speeds. We>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.28.24)

Aero Linx: The Skyhawk Association The Skyhawk Association is a non-profit organization founded by former Skyhawk Pilots which is open to anyone with an affinity for the A-4 Skyhaw>[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (04.29.24)

“The T-54A benefits from an active Beechcraft King Air assembly line in Wichita, Kansas, where all required METS avionics and interior modifications are installed on the line>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.29.24)

Aero Linx: Aerostar Owners Association The Association offers the Aerostar Owner a unique opportunity to tap an invaluable source of information concerning the care and feeding of >[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Change Display

Headlines Only | Headlines w/ Teasers | View Everything

Advertisement

Top Videos

Airborne Affordable Flyers 05.02.24: Bobby Bailey, SPRG Report Cards, Skydive!

Airborne 05.01.24: WACO Kitchen, FAA Reauthorization, World Skydiving Day

Airborne-NextGen 04.30.24: Skydweller Flies, Cassio 330, UAV Design Competition

See All

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

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