NASA’s demo moon rocket remains on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center this morning, but the 50-member team overseeing the countdown is sure getting a workout. In addition to the usual weather issues, there’s a new prohibition about flying through high-altitude clouds to prevent radio interference.
The Ares 1-X booster is outfitted with more than 700 sensors to measure temperatures, pressures, vibrations, acoustics -- just about everything you can think of -- during the two minutes and four seconds that the rocket motor will burn. That data needs to be relayed to ground stations real time, so NASA implemented a new flight rule to prevent what is called “triboelectrification.” Apparently flying through clouds containing ice or precipitation can generate a static electric charge that can degrade radio signals. In addition to the data collected during flight, triboelectrification can interfere with communications range safety officers need to detonate explosives on the rocket should it begin to veer off course and threaten populated areas.
The space shuttles are not susceptible to triboelectrification and most expendable rockets have protective coatings that make the issue moot.
NASA also was battling a more common type of electric charge on Wednesday. Storms passing through the area Tuesday night triggered more than 150 lighting strikes within five miles of the Ares launch pad. The team spent the first part of the morning meticulously checking over the rocket’s systems to make sure there was no damage.
By about 9 a.m., the team was ready to fly, but despite the blue skies, concerns about static electric charging is keeping Ares grounded.
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