Launch Window: Between 10 p.m. tonight and 3 a.m. tomorrow
Mission: TOMEX+ (Turbulent Oxygen Mixing Experiment Plus)
What to Expect
NASA is launching a series of three sounding rockets from Wallops Island tonight as part of the TOMEX+ mission. Its goal? To explore the mesopause, one of the most turbulent atmospheric zones located around 56 miles above Earth, where a layer of atomic sodium resides—created by tiny meteors burning up in the sky
- First Two Rockets: They’ll release vibrant vapor tracers—colorful clouds that you can photograph from the ground. These tracers help scientists visualize and map wind patterns in the upper atmosphere.
- Third Rocket (Launching ~5 Minutes Later): Equipped with a lidar instrument, it will emit short pulses of light to precisely measure atmospheric density and movement over time
Together, this trio offers scientists a uniquely detailed 3D view of turbulence at the edge of space, shedding light on high-altitude cloud formation, satellite drag, and even atmospheric behavior on other planets
Viewing Tips for Region Residents
If the skies are clear, residents of Northern Virginia and nearby metro areas like Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia may catch the spectacle:
- Within 10 seconds of launch: expect visibility closest to Wallops Island.
- In Northern Virginia and similar zones, visibility may occur 10–30 seconds after liftoff.
- Western Virginia and parts of Pennsylvania may see it 30–40 seconds post-launch
A livestream and live mission updates will begin approximately five minutes before each rocket’s launch on NASA’s social media channels