NASA test new self-destruct system for rockets

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility plans to launch a rocket on Wednesday to test a new self-destruct system for rockets that go off course during flight.

The rocket, a Terrier-Orion, will carry NASA’s Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS). In the event a rocket goes off its assigned flight path, the AFSS would send a destruct signal to the rocket causing it to break apart in flight, keeping it from endangering public areas.

During Wednesday’s flight, the AFSS will monitor the flight and identify an “imaginary island” off the coast of Virginia and send a destruct signal to the rocket, although no actual destruct ordinance will be carried on the test flight. Wallops will also fly their Low Cost Telemetry Transceiver on the mission that will return data and send commands through a tracking satellite.

Before the AFSS can be used as a real-time flight system, it must be proven to be worthy and ready for flight. With two previous successful flights, this is the third test flight of the AFSS. The system will go through additional flights and testing on the path to become flight certified.

The rocket will carry two additional payloads. The first is a NASA package of seven sensors to observe the rocket’s performance. The second payload is a Federal Aviation Administration payload designed to inform aircraft and air traffic control systems of the in-flight location and velocity of launch vehicles that could pose a collision hazard to aircraft.

The launch is scheduled between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. EDT from Wallops Island, Va. The backup launch day is Thursday.