The Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) is scheduled to launch at 6:10 p.m. EST Sunday, Feb. 8 from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. A backup launch opportunity is available at 6:07 p.m. on Feb. 9, if needed.
NASA Television coverage of the launch will begin at 3:30 p.m. In addition to launch coverage, NASA TV also will air a prelaunch news conference at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7.
DSCOVR is a partnership between NOAA, NASA and the U.S. Air Force and will maintain the nation’s solar wind observations capability. These observations are critical to the accuracy and lead time of NOAA’s space weather alerts, forecasts, warnings and space weather events like geomagnetic storms caused by changes in solar wind. Such events can affect public infrastructure systems including power grids, telecommunications systems and avionics aboard aircraft.
DSCOVR succeeds NASA’s Advanced Composition Explorer in supporting solar observations and will provide 15 to 60 minute warning time to improve predictions of geomagnetic storm impact locations.
Media who wish to attend the prelaunch events, including the launch pad photo opportunity, prelaunch news conference and launch, may request accreditation online at:
The deadline for U.S. media to apply for accreditation is Tuesday, Feb. 3. The deadline for foreign nationals has passed. For further information about media accreditation, contact Jennifer Horner at 321-867-6598.
For a full and updated schedule of prelaunch briefings, events and NASA TV coverage, visit:
http://go.nasa.gov/1CUBl40
For in-depth prelaunch, countdown and launch day coverage of the liftoff of DSCOVR aboard the Falcon 9, visit:
http://blogs.nasa.gov/DSCOVR
For NASA TV schedules and video streaming information, visit:
https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv
For more information about the DSCOVR mission, visit:
http://www.nesdis.noaa.gov/DSCOVR
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Steve Cole / Rachel Kraft
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-0918 / 202-358-1100
stephen.e.cole@nasa.gov / rachel.h.kraft@nasa.gov
George Diller
Kennedy Space Center, Fla.
321-867-2468
george.h.diller@nasa.gov
John Leslie
NOAA Satellite and Information Service, Silver Spring, Md.
301-713-0214
john.leslie@noaa.gov