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“Sometimes you only get a box of band aids and rubberbands. That was the case here.”

Posted on October 17, 2019 by ssl-admin

It was an interesting launch of the ICON spacecraft the week of October 9th, here at the Space Sciences Lab. During a “normal” launch, there are many things that all need to line up, such as, Observatory (ICON), Rocket (Pegasus), Plane (Stargazer L-1011), Eastern Test Range (Tracking), Weather, and of course our Mission Operations Center
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Watch live coverage on Thursday Oct 10, beginning at 6:15 pm Pacific (9:15 pm Eastern)

Posted on October 10, 2019October 10, 2019 by ssl-admin

NASA TV coverage of ICON launch. Launch is targeted at 6:30 pm Pacific, during the 90-minute launch window opening at 6:25 pm Pacific. The Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) will study the frontier of space: the dynamic zone high in our atmosphere where Earth weather and space weather meet. ICON will launch from Cape Canaveral Air
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A New look

Posted on February 5, 2019February 5, 2019 by ssl-admin

We are proud to launch Space Sciences Lab’s new and improved website, with new sections highlighting what we make, what we do, and who we are. Our research and project pages are now organized by field of study, and we have added lots of new information on engineering, mission operations, and fabrication here at the
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Parker Solar Probe Launch

Posted on August 15, 2018 by ssl-admin

At 3:31 AM Eastern Time on August 12, after a one day delay, the Parker Solar Probe spacecraft took off from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station for its “Mission to Touch the Sun”. On board two instrument suites, FIELDS and SWEAP, with many of its team members working out of the UC Berkeley Space
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Solar Power: Parker Solar Probe Tests Its Arrays

Posted on July 30, 2018 by ssl-admin

NASA’s Parker Solar Probe gets its power from the Sun, so the solar arrays that collect energy from our star need to be in perfect working order. This month, members of the mission team tested the arrays at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Florida, to ensure the system performs as designed and provides power to
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NASA EDGE: Countdown to ICON/Ferry Flight Show

Posted on June 5, 2018 by ssl-admin

ICON on the move

Posted on June 4, 2018 by ssl-admin

We are rolling in Vandenberg Air Force Base as our crew completed all-day operations to move and mate the #Pegasus rocket to the #Stargazer #L1011 airplane in preparation for the June 14 launch of #NASAICON. Developed, integrated and tested by our teams in Dulles, VA and Gilbert, AZ, ICON will be the newest addition to
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Reconnection tames the turbulent magnetic fields around Earth

Posted on May 14, 2018July 30, 2018 by ssl-admin

Magnetic reconnection, one of the most important processes in the plasma-filled space around Earth, dissipates magnetic energy and propels charged particles, both of which contribute to a dynamic space weather system that scientists want to understand and someday predict. (NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center/Joy Ng video) The discovery will help scientists understand the role magnetic
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