NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility is scheduled to launch a four-stage sounding rocket that will be visible to the D.C. area as it climbs into the sunset sky Saturday night.
The 40-minute launch window opens at 8:02 p.m., a few minutes before sunset. Backup launch dates are available until May 16.
The facility said it hopes to launch a Black Brant XII rocket on a suborbital mission to explore energy transport in space that will include the release of barium vapor.
NASA Wallops advises that the vapor will be released about 9.5 to 10 minutes after launch, and that “The barium vapor is not harmful to the environment or public health.”