Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON)

Mission

Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON)

Type: Earth Science

Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) is a NASA mission to study Earth's thermosphere and ionosphere and the connection between space weather and weather on our planet. Mission is planned to last for two years.

Location

Cape Canaveral

Air launch to orbit

45 rockets have launched from Air launch to orbit.

Rocket

Pegasus XL

Length: 17.6 meters
Diameter: 1.27 meters
First Launch: June 27, 1994

The Pegasus is an air-launched rocket developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now part of Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems). Capable of carrying small payloads of up to 443 kilograms (977 lb) into low Earth orbit, the vehicle consists of three solid propellant stages and an optional monopropellant fourth stage. Pegasus is released from its carrier aircraft at approximately 40,000 ft (12,000 m), and its first stage has a wing and a tail to provide lift and attitude control while in the atmosphere.

The Pegasus XL rocket has been launched a total of 29 times with 26 successful and 3 failed launches.

Agency

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: NGIS
Administration: CEO: Wesley G. Bush
Founded: 2015
Launchers: Antares | Minotaur | Pegasus
Spacecraft: Cygnus
Country: USA

Northrup Grumman Innovation Systems designs, builds and delivers space, defence and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. They aquired Orbital ATK in 2018 along with its launchers and ongoing missions. Antares launches from Wallops in Virginia. Minotaur has many launch sites, with the most active now being Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg. Pegasus is an air launched vehicle from an aircraft and so has many launch locations.