"NASA's Sounding Rockets to Study Total Solar Eclipse from Wallops Flight Facility"

NASA plans to launch three Black Brant IX sounding rockets from its Wallops Flight Facility during the upcoming total solar eclipse to study the effects of the eclipse on Earth's upper atmosphere, specifically the ionosphere, which could potentially interfere with communications. The rockets will be launched at different times before, during, and after the eclipse to gather crucial data on ionospheric disturbances. The experiments will provide a rare opportunity for scientists to study these disturbances, as the next total solar eclipse over the contiguous U.S. is not until 2044. The launches will be livestreamed and can also be watched in person at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center.