FAIRBANKS, Alaska (AP) - Scientists working with Poker Flat Research Range have successfully launched a NASA sounding rocket.
The University of Alaska Fairbanks says the rocket blasted off at 2:09 a.m. Monday and reached 200 miles above the village of Venetie (VEE’-neh-teye).
The rocket flew through an aurora and measured electrical particles and electrical fields changed by the aurora.
Lead scientist Marilia Samara of the San Antonio, Texas-based Southwest Research Institute says the rocket took four minutes to reach a spot above the aurora.
The launch had previously been thwarted by wind and other adverse conditions during a window from Jan. 25 to Feb. 9.
The launch was the last scheduled this spring at Poker Flat.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.