Want to use a drone to watch the launch of the Antares rocket? NASA has rules



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Want to use a drone to watch the launch of the Antares rocket? NASA has rules

Drones can interfere with rockets if they fly too close to the dashboard.

Credit: NASA

Traditionally, the most common reasons for launching rocket launchers are technical issues and weather – and NASA would like you to help us keep it that way.

This is the message to be remembered from a brief statement issued by the agency in preparation for the upcoming launch scheduled from the NASA site, the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Given that the site is located near populated areas, the agency fears that people using drones do not accidentally interfere with the launch, which has already been postponed 24 hours because of weather issues.

The launch of Northrop Grumman's Antares vehicle is scheduled for Friday, November 16 at 4:23 am EST (09:23 GMT), carrying a Cygnus refueling capsule to the International Space Station. This is the first rocket strictly speaking from the site since the last takeoff of Antares on May 21, although the site has already experienced sounding rocket launches.

"Drone operators are advised to exercise caution if they use their aircraft to watch the launch of the Antares rocket on November 15 and [are asked to] Avoid flying over the NASA Wallops Flight Facility's public and facilities, "reads the agency's statement before the launch was delayed due to bad weather." marshes between Wallops Island and the mainland and over the Atlantic Ocean east of Wallops Island. "

The Federal Aviation Administration regulates where individuals can use drones and how they can maneuver robotic flyers. These rules include staying away from airports and crowds of people.

Despite the time before dawn, NASA expects several thousand people to attend the launch of Antares. Site take-offs are popular shows, as they can often be seen up and down the east coast if cloud cover cooperates.

You can witness the launch of Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket live here from 4 am EST (9:00 am GMT), courtesy of NASA TV.

Email Meghan Bartels at [email protected] or follow her. @meghanbartels. follow us @Spacedotcom and Facebook. Original article on Space.com.

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