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Nighttime Launches Planned into the Northern Lights

Rockets prep for launch from Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska.
NASA sounding rockets carrying instrumented payloads for the Neutral Jets in Auroral Arcs mission are seen being elevated on their launch rails at Poker Flat Research Range located north of Fairbanks, Alaska, Feb. 14.

NASA sounding rockets carrying instrumented payloads for the Neutral Jets in Auroral Arcs mission are seen being elevated on their launch rails at Poker Flat Research Range located north of Fairbanks, Alaska, Feb. 14. The rockets are boxed in insulation to protect them from the frigid Alaskan temperatures. The rockets are two of four being launched to study the structure of auroras between now and March 3. The launch window Feb. 15 opens at 11 p.m. EST (7 p.m. AKST). A live broadcast of the launch will be streamed on the Internet by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute beginning about 20 minutes prior to the opening of the launch window. The web stream will be available at youtube.com/PokerFlatRR. In addition, the range launch communications can be monitored at http://stereo.wavestreamer.com:7519/index.html?sid=1. Auroral activity is required for the launches to occur.