Science / Space
NASA flare alert system lets rockets launch into a solar flare
The system was described in The Astrophysical Journal on Nov. 4.
Status: source-checked.
GREENBELT, Md. — Scientists used NASA sounding rockets to study a solar flare in progress for the first time, aided by a new alert system that told the team when to launch, NASA said Nov. 4.
The system pinpoints a flare’s location and predicts how long it will last within minutes of detection by spacecraft. It is described in a paper published Nov. 4 in The Astrophysical Journal.
An enhanced version supported a May 2026 launch that observed three flares, NASA said.
What we know / what we don't
What we know
- The paper was published Nov. 4.
What we don't know
- How the system performs operationally beyond these campaigns is not yet shown.
The source record