Swift Launch

The Swift satellite, which will study gamma-ray bursts and their afterglows in three wavelengths was supposed to launch today from Kennedy Space Center. However, the launch was scrubbed due some technical difficulties and has been rescheduled for tomorrow.

This mission is headed by Goddard Space Flight Center, and I have assisted the Principal Investigator in some Swift-related materials, like a display on-site and an ApJ paper. I’ll be in the Goddard Visitor Center tomorrow to watch the launch through a live broadcast. If you get a chance, you can check out a live web-cast of the launch either at Kennedy Space Center’s Video Feed page or NASA TV. More information about the status of the launch can be found at Spaceflight Now.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a successful launch tomorrow!

Update: The launch has been rescheduled for Saturday at 12:10 PM EST. There was a voltage irregularity on the rocket, and some of the rocket’s safety system parts need to be replaced. Still keeping my fingers crossed!