NASA Wallops Will Launch Three Sounding Rockets During Solar Eclipse; Weather Permitting, They Should Be Visible in the DMV

Three Black Brant IX sounding rockets will be launched for the Atmospheric Perturbations around Eclipse Path (APEP) mission from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility launch range in Virginia during the solar eclipse. The launch window is set to open on April 8, 2024, at 2:40 p.m. EDT.

The APEP sounding rockets are scheduled to launch approximately 45 minutes before, during, and after the peak local eclipse. Their goal is to study how Earth’s upper atmosphere is impacted when sunlight momentarily dims over a portion of the planet. The targeted launch times for the three rockets are 2:40 p.m., 3:20 p.m., and 4:05 p.m., but please note that these times may be subject to change.

If weather conditions permit, the launches may be visible in the mid-Atlantic region. It is important to remember to always wear solar safety or “eclipse” glasses when looking at the Sun to protect your eyes. In the Wallops area, the eclipse is expected to begin around 2:06 p.m. The peak local eclipse is anticipated to occur at 3:23 p.m., during which the Moon will block 81.4% of the Sun’s light. The eclipse will conclude at 4:34 p.m.

For those interested, the launches will be livestreamed on Wallops’ YouTube channel starting at 2:30 p.m.

Rocket Launches 🤝 Solar Eclipse
We’re less than a week away from the next launch at Wallops! The APEP mission launch is scheduled for Monday, April 8, with the window opening at 2:40 p.m. EDT. For those in the mid-Atlantic region, weather permitting, the launches may be visible. https://t.co/9d6KfAvsjR pic.twitter.com/jFER8bX97R

— NASA Wallops (@NASAWallops) April 2, 2024