Grand Challenge Initiative - Cusp: Launch Photos & Videos

AZURE Mission

Colorful clouds formed by the release of vapors from the two AZURE rockets allow scientist to measure auroral winds.

Credit: NASA/Lee Wingfield

AZURE Mission

One of two Black Brant XI rockets leaves the launch pad at the Andøya Space Center in Norway for the AZURE mission.

Credit: NASA/Lee Wingfield

G-CHASER Mission

G-CHASER launches from the Andøya Space Center in Norway.

Credit: NASA/Chris Perry

CAPER-2 Mission

CAPER-2 launches from the Andøya Space Center.

Credit: NASA/Chris Perry

TRICE-2 Mission

The two TRICE-2 Black Brant XII sounding rockets are seen in this time-lapse photograph soaring into space over the Norwegian Sea.

Credit: NASA/Jamie Adkins

TRICE-2 Mission

This composite photo shows The Twin Rockets to Investigate Cusp Electrodynamics or TRICE-2 that were launched at 3:26 and 3:28 a.m. EST, Dec. 8, 2018, from the Andoya Space Center in Andenes, Norway. The motors firing on the sides of the first stages spin the rocket to assist in stabilization during flight. The mission is one of nine international missions through January 2020 called the Grand Challenge Initiative – Cusp.

Credit: NASA/Jamie Adkins

VISIONS-2 Mission

Time-lapse photograph shows the first stages of the VISION-2 Black Brant X rockets as they leave the launch pad from Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in Norway.

Credit: NASA/ Allison Stancil-Ervin

VISIONS-2 Mission

Time-lapse photograph shows the first and second stages of the 2 Black Brant X rockets for VISIONS-2 and the telemetry antennas in the foreground as the rockets leave the launch pad from Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in Norway.

Credit: NASA/ Allison Stancil-Ervin.

VISIONS-2 Mission

One of the two VISION-2 Black Brant X rockets breaks through its protective insulating foam box as it leaves the launch pad from Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, in Norway.

Credit: NASA/ Allison Stancil-Ervin