Radiation Belt Storm Probes
Radiation Belt Storm Probes
Radiation Belt Storm Probes
Radiation Belt Storm Probes

Aug 23, 2012–Cape Canaveral,USA (Techreleased) –At Space Launch Complex-41 on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, there is relatively minor activity at the pad today as personnel rest for the overnight countdown to liftoff of NASA’s Radiation Belt Storm Probes. Countdown preparations will begin tonight at 8:52 p.m. EDT and spacecraft engineers will start configuring RBSP for launch at approximately 10 p.m.

Spacecraft: Radiation Belt Storm Probes
Launch Vehicle: Atlas V-401
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla.
Launch Pad: Space Launch Complex-41
Launch Date: Aug. 24
Launch Window: 4:07 a.m. to 4:27 a.m. EDT

The terminal countdown operation begins at 12:57 a.m., at which time the launch pad will be cleared of personnel in preparation for fueling the Atlas V rocket. Loading cryogenic propellants begins at 1:42 a.m. The weather forecast continues to reflect only a 30 percent chance of not meeting the launch weather criteria, calling for temperatures near 78 degrees and light southeasterly winds at the targeted 4:07 a.m. liftoff time.