Launch Updates

Check here for the latest updates on the status of the Rocket EVE 36.389 launch.

15 May 2023

Watch the video of the launch of 36.389 from the two on-board cameras:

3 May 2023 - 1:00 PM MDT

The NASA 36.389 solar EUV calibration rocket flight for SDO-EVE was very successful today. For those watching NASA TV, we had a winch bolt break and then there was a manual pull of the experiment vacuum hose, so we launched 20 minutes late at 12:30 PM MDT. All of the quicklook data look great during the flight, and the payload recovery is in progress now.

Thanks so much to the SDO-EVE rocket team, NASA, and Navy for this wonderful mission today from White Sands Missile Range.

3 May 2023 - 12:17 PM MDT

The countdown will be restarted shortly, aiming for a 12:30 PM MDT launch time.

3 May 2023 - 12:08 PM MDT

The countdown is on hold.

3 May 2023 - 8:41 AM MDT

MEGS CCD detectors have been cooled down to -50C, and final arming of the rocket motors have started. The Sun is very active today, with already 5 M-class flares this morning. For calibration purposes, we intend to launch when the Sun is not flaring. That is, we may hold the launch by 5-10 minutes if a flare is about to peak at the launch time.

2 May 2023

All is a Go for launch on May 3. We have approval from NASA, WSMR, and Navy for launch on May 3 with a window of 18:10-18:40 UT (12:10 PM - 12:40 PM MDT). The weather forecast is looking good too.

NASA TV will show the launch with the following link active starting at 11:45 AM MDT: https://video.ibm.com/channel/nasa-tv-wallops

1 May 2023

The Vertical Tests are completed.

28 April 2023

The rocket motors (Terrier and Black Brant) have been mounted to the launch rail. The experiment vacuum pump cart and payload have also been mounted to the rail. The last big test before launch is the Vertical Test that is scheduled for Monday May 1.

26 April 2023

Horizontal (sequence) tests were completed. We're on schedule for launch on May 3rd.

25 April 2023

SDO EVE team has decided to add a 90 degree roll during flight at T+370sec to provide additional validation of the alignments between the EVE instruments and the sun position sensors (LISS, MASS, MEGS-SAM, XRS-SPS, PicoSIM-SPS). The prime solar observations for calibrations are near apogee from T+220sec and T+340sec.

24 April 2023

Solar alignment post-vibration checks indicate less than 1 arc-minute shifts (requirement is 3 arc-min). Payload has its final flight inspections and preparations.