Science and Engineering Research Council Ariel 2 Scout X-3
About the Ariel 2 Mission
- Type: Astrophysics
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $8,910,000
Ariel is a series of British research satellites. Ariel 2 was designed to carry out radio astronomy experiments and was used to measure galactic radio noise.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Area 3
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
The Launch Area 3 launch pad has hosted 13 rocket launches, including 10 orbital launch attempts. The Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA launch site has been the location for 86 total rocket launches.
Wallops Flight Facility is a rocket launch site on Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, United States, just east of the Delmarva Peninsula and north-northeast of Norfolk. The facility is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and primarily serves to support science and exploration missions for NASA and other federal agencies. WFF includes an extensively instrumented range to support launches of more than a dozen types of sounding rockets; small expendable suborbital and orbital rockets; high-altitude balloon flights carrying scientific instruments for atmospheric and astronomical research; and, using its Research Airport, flight tests of aeronautical research aircraft, including uncrewed aerial vehicles.
Vought Scout X-3 Rocket
The Scout family of rockets were were American launch vehicles designed to place small satellites into orbit around the Earth. The Scout multistage rocket was the first orbital launch vehicle to be entirely composed of solid fuel stages.
About Science and Engineering Research Council
The Science and Engineering Research Council (SERC) and its predecessor the Science Research Council (SRC) were the UK agencies in charge of publicly funded scientific and engineering research activities, including astronomy, biotechnology and biological sciences, space research and particle physics, between 1965 and 1994.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 Ariel 2 launch scheduled?
The Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 Ariel 2 launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 Ariel 2 mission launch from?
The Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 rocket launched from Launch Area 3 at Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA. Wallops Flight Facility is a rocket launch site on Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, United States, just east of the Delmarva Peninsula and north-northeast of Norfolk. The facility is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and primarily serves to support science and exploration missions for NASA and other federal agencies. WFF includes an extensively instrumented range to support launches of more than a dozen types of sounding rockets; small expendable suborbital and orbital rockets; high-altitude balloon flights carrying scientific instruments for atmospheric and astronomical research; and, using its Research Airport, flight tests of aeronautical research aircraft, including uncrewed aerial vehicles.
What rocket was used for the Ariel 2 mission?
The Ariel 2 mission launched aboard a Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 rocket. The Scout family of rockets were were American launch vehicles designed to place small satellites into orbit around the Earth. The Scout multistage rocket was the first orbital launch vehicle to be entirely composed of solid fuel stages. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 Ariel 2 launch?
The Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 Ariel 2 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 Ariel 2 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Science and Engineering Research Council Scout X-3 launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Ariel 2 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Science and Engineering Research Council live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.