ATLANTIC(AP) -- NASA plans to launch a suborbital rocket from Virginia's Eastern Shore next week to test new rocket technologies.
NASA says in a news release that the Terrior-Improved Orion suborbital sounding rocket is scheduled to be launched from its Wallops Island facility between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Tuesday. Backup launch days are Wednesday and Thursday.
The mission includes the third test of the rocket's primary payload, NASA's Autonomous Flight Safety System. The onboard system is designed to issue a destruct signal if a launch flight deviates from its path.
A Federal Aviation Administration payload that's designed to provide a launch flight's location and velocity to aircraft and air traffic control systems also will be tested.
The rocket also will carry a package of seven sensors that will observe its performance.
The launch can be viewed from the facility's visitor center, which will be open at 7 a.m. on launch day. NASA also will webcast the launch and post status updates on Twitter.
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