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#160 by zubenelgenubi on 30 Aug, 2019 21:26
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Cross-post:
ICON launch will be on October 10th as per https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasakennedy/48642896996/
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#161 by Rondaz on 06 Sep, 2019 16:32
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ICON Launch Targeted for Oct. 10
Anna Heiney Posted on September 6, 2019
NASA and Northrop Grumman currently are preparing the agency’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, spacecraft and the Pegasus XL rocket at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California for ferry to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida by the L-1011 Stargazer aircraft on Oct. 1, 2019. The launch has been rescheduled to Oct. 10, 2019, following the completion of a joint NASA/Northrop Grumman investigation into a Pegasus sensor reading that was not within normal limits during previous ferry and launch attempt flights. The cause of the issue is understood, and the flight hardware has been modified to address the issue. Two L-1011 flights with Pegasus were conducted to verify the effectiveness of the modification with no issues. Functional tests are being performed on NASA’s ICON spacecraft, which utilizes Northrop Grumman’s LEOStar-2 platform, to ensure that the ICON spacecraft is ready for the upcoming integration activity, ferry flight and launch. As always, mission success for Pegasus and ICON is the top priority.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/icon/2019/09/06/icon-launch-targeted-for-oct-10/ -
#162 by Rondaz on 11 Sep, 2019 14:38
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ICON Launch Now Targeted for Oct. 9
Danielle Sempsrott Posted onSeptember 11, 2019
NASA and Northrop Grumman coordinated with the U.S. Air Force Eastern Range for an earlier launch date for the agency’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer, or ICON, spacecraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. ICON is now targeted for launch on Oct. 9, 2019, aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket carried by the company’s L-1011 Stargazer aircraft.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/2019/09/11/icon-launch-now-targeted-for-oct-9/ -
#163 by zubenelgenubi on 11 Sep, 2019 16:09
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From Long-delayed NASA science satellite gets October launch date, dated September 10
Launch time is 9:30 p.m. EDT Oct. 9 = 0130 UTC Oct. 10 -
#164 by Targeteer on 16 Sep, 2019 19:26
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September 16, 2019
MEDIA ADVISORY M19-097
NASA Opens Accreditation for Launch of Mission to Explore Ionosphere
NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer will study the frontier of space: the dynamic zone high in our atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above.
Credits: NASA
NASA has opened media accreditation for the launch of its Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) mission, targeted to be air-launched over the Atlantic Ocean on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Media prelaunch activities will take place at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and neighboring Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, with details of the activities to be announced closer to the launch date. Credentialing deadlines are as follows:
U.S. media must apply by 4:30 p.m. EDT Friday, Sept. 20.
The deadline for international media to apply has passed.
All media accreditation requests should be submitted online at:
https://media.ksc.nasa.gov
For questions about accreditation, please email [email protected]. For other questions, contact Kennedy’s newsroom at 321-867-2468.
ICON and Pegasus will take off aboard the L-1011 Stargazer aircraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for a 90-minute launch window opening at 9:25 p.m. ICON will be launching off the coast of Daytona at 39,000 feet at a heading of 105 degrees.
The ionosphere, where Earth’s weather meets space weather, can be a source of great beauty, but also can be disruptive to radio communications and satellites, and astronaut health. ICON will help determine the physical processes at play in this frontier of space, and help find ways to mitigate their negative effects.
For more information about the ICON mission, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/icon -
#165 by thirtyone on 17 Sep, 2019 23:50
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Last time this rocket launched was before I closely followed commercial rocketry =P Anyone know if there are going to be a live stream on NASA TV or anything?
Thanks! -
#166 by dsmillman on 18 Sep, 2019 00:03
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Last time this rocket launched was before I closely followed commercial rocketry =P Anyone know if there are going to be a live stream on NASA TV or anything?
Thanks!
Since ICON is a NASA satellite, the launch will get full coverage on NASA TV>Last time this rocket launched was before I closely followed commercial rocketry =P Anyone know if there are going to be a live stream on NASA TV or anything?
Thanks!
Since ICON is a NASA satellite, the launch will get full coverage on NASA TV. -
#167 by FutureSpaceTourist on 18 Sep, 2019 17:25
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https://twitter.com/thejackbeyer/status/1174369359826837504Quote
Stargazer, the last flying Lockheed L-1011 TriStar, took off from Mojave Air and Spaceport this morning. It’s headed to Vandenberg AFB to pick up a Pegasus XL rocket and @NASA’s ICON satellite ahead of their launch out of Cape Canaveral on October 10. #NASAICON @NASASpaceflight
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#168 by Sam Ho on 19 Sep, 2019 17:47
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Last time this rocket launched was before I closely followed commercial rocketry =P Anyone know if there are going to be a live stream on NASA TV or anything?
Thanks!
Here's the live thread from the last Pegasus (CYGNSS), if you'd like to review what NASA TV coverage was like the last time around.William Graham's preview article!
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/12/pegasus-cygnss-constellation-deployment/ -
#169 by jacqmans on 24 Sep, 2019 09:41
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Technicians attach NASA's Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) to the Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket inside Building 1555 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, on Sept. 10, 2019. The Pegasus XL rocket, attached beneath the company's L-1011 Stargazer aircraft, will launch ICON from the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Launch is scheduled for Oct. 9, 2019. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The explorer will help determine the physics of Earth's space environment and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology and communications systems.
Photo credit: USAF 30th SCS/Ernest Mendez
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#170 by jacqmans on 02 Oct, 2019 16:26
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October 01, 2019
MEDIA ADVISORY M19-103
NASA to Broadcast Launch of Mission to Study the Frontier of Space
NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) is scheduled to be air-launched over the Atlantic Ocean at 9:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 9, by Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL rocket. Coverage of the prelaunch briefing and launch will air live on NASA Television and the agency’s website.
ICON and Pegasus will take off aboard the company’s L-1011 Stargazer aircraft from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida for a 90-minute launch window opening at 9:25 p.m.
NASA TV coverage is as follows:
Tuesday, Oct. 8
1 p.m. – Mission briefing from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Participants will include:
Nicola Fox, Heliophysics division director in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate
Thomas Immel, ICON principal investigator at the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California Berkeley
Omar Baez, launch director in NASA’s Launch Services Program
Phil Joyce, vice president of space launch programs at Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems
Steve Krein, vice president of civil and commercial satellites at Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems
Representative from the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing
Wednesday, Oct. 9
9:15 p.m. – Launch coverage begins
The deadline for media to apply for accreditation for this launch has passed, but more information about media accreditation is available by emailing [email protected].
ICON will study the frontier of space – the dynamic zone high in our atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above. The ionosphere can be a source of great beauty, but also can be disruptive to radio communications and satellites, and astronaut health. ICON will help determine the physical processes at play in the ionosphere and pave the way for mitigating its effects on our technology, communications systems and society.
For the latest schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/icon-briefings-and-events
Learn more about the ICON mission at:
https://blogs.nasa.gov/icon/ -
#171 by dsmillman on 02 Oct, 2019 18:04
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#172 by jacqmans on 04 Oct, 2019 13:13
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The Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket, carrying NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), has arrived at the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on Oct. 1, 2019. The rocket is attached beneath the company’s L-1011 Stargazer aircraft. ICON will study the frontier of space - the dynamic zone high in Earth's atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above.
Photo credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
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#173 by tehwkd on 06 Oct, 2019 07:08
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Quote
InForce
P 060246Z OCT 19
NAVAREA IV 868/19(24,25,26).
NORTH ATLANTIC.
FLORIDA.
1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS 100125Z TO 100355Z OCT,
ALTERNATE 110125Z TO 110355Z OCT
IN AREAS BOUND BY:
A. 29-07N 078-31W, 29-07N 077-40W,
28-42N 076-51W, 28-31N 076-56W,
28-40N 078-01W, 28-54N 078-31W.
B. 27-47N 072-20W, 27-47N 071-10W,
26-57N 069-51W, 26-07N 070-21W,
26-27N 072-01W, 26-57N 072-40W.
C. 25-41N 063-58W, 24-49N 061-27W,
24-05N 061-49W, 24-54N 064-15W.
D. 10-40N 038-36W, 11-21N 037-47W,
11-21N 036-57W, 09-41N 036-57W,
09-01N 038-07W, 09-01N 038-47W,
10-01N 038-47W.
2. CANCEL THIS MSG 110455Z OCT 19.//
MILITARY OPS.//
A - red
B - yellow
C - lime
D - orange
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#174 by Rondaz on 07 Oct, 2019 14:47
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Launch Week Arrives for ICON
Danielle Sempsrott Posted on October 7, 2019
NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer – or ICON – satellite is scheduled to launch Wednesday, Oct. 9, from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. ICON will be air-launched from a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket, carried by the company’s L-1011 aircraft, Stargazer. Launch is currently scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EDT.
Weather officials from the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing predict a 40% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. Primary concerns are cumulous clouds and lightning. We’ll continue to provide weather and launch updates here on the blog, so be sure to check back in!
https://blogs.nasa.gov/icon/2019/10/07/launch-week-arrives-for-icon/ -
#175 by Rondaz on 08 Oct, 2019 14:52
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NASA, Northrop Grumman Prepare for Launch of ICON
Danielle Sempsrott Posted on October 8, 2019
NASA and Northrop Grumman will hold a mission briefing at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, Oct. 8, in preparation for the launch of NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite. Tune in to NASA TV and the agency’s website to watch the mission briefing live.
The Northrop Grumman L-1011 Stargazer aircraft, carrying a Pegasus XL rocket with the agency’s ICON satellite, will take off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Skid Strip on Oct. 9. The launch window will be open from 9:25 to 10:55 p.m., with a targeted release at 9:30 p.m. Ignition of the Pegasus XL rocket will occur five seconds after release from the Stargazer.
ICON is designed to study the frontier of space: the dynamic zone high in our atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather above.
Be sure to follow our blog for launch updates. Live launch coverage here and on NASA TV will begin at 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 9.
https://blogs.nasa.gov/icon/2019/10/08/nasa-northrop-grumman-prepare-for-launch-of-icon/ -
#176 by PM3 on 08 Oct, 2019 14:54
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Weather not looking good for the first launch opportunity on October 10 UTC (30 % favourable), but better for the next day (60 %).
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#177 by Olaf on 08 Oct, 2019 17:43
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#178 by Rondaz on 08 Oct, 2019 22:13
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Pegasus, ICON Satellite Set to Launch Tomorrow
Danielle Sempsrott Posted on October 8, 2019
NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite is set to launch from a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket – carried by the company’s L-1011 Stargazer aircraft – on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from the Skid Strip runway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. Once Stargazer is airborne and has reached the right altitude and location, the rocket will be released for launch.
One thing to keep an eye on for tomorrow’s launch is the weather. With a cold front moving in and a forecast of scattered showers throughout the day, weather officials from the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing are currently predicting a 30% chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. Primary weather concerns are the cumulus cloud rule and lightning rule.
“I wish I had some better news, but ultimately, we’re going to do our best with all the tools we have at our disposal to ensure that tomorrow’s launch – or potentially Thursday night’s launch – is as safe as possible,” said Will Ulrich, launch weather officer for the U.S. Air Force 45th Space Wing, in Tuesday afternoon’s mission briefing.
The 90-minute launch window opens at 9:25 p.m. EDT on Oct. 9, with a targeted release at 9:30 p.m. If ICON is unable to launch tomorrow due to unfavorable weather conditions, the backup launch date is Oct. 10, with the same targeted release time.
“If we go to the backup day – hopefully we don’t need to have a 24-hour delay, but should we – conditions are going to be a little better,” said Ulrich. Thursday’s forecast shows less chance of rain, and weather conditions improve to a 60% chance “go” for launch.
Once ICON reaches orbit, it will study the dynamic zone high in our atmosphere where terrestrial weather from below meets space weather from above.
Live launch coverage and countdown will begin at 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 9 here on the blog, on NASA TV and the agency’s website. Learn more about NASA’s ICON mission at: https://www.nasa.gov/icon
https://blogs.nasa.gov/icon/2019/10/08/pegasus-icon-satellite-set-to-launch-tomorrow/ -
#179 by IanO on 09 Oct, 2019 00:31
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I'm somewhat confused and disappointed by the weather restrictions. I thought one of the unique benefits of air launch was the ability to fly above any inclement weather.