Here is a brief introduction to the two types of flights. Though there are some big differences between these two ways of conducting space experiments, both present fantastic opportunities. Most space researchers take advantage of the Suborbital opportunities to learn from their experiments before getting a place on the Shuttle's crowded schedule. Consult Appendix B and C of this Guide to learn more about the types of experiment that might be suitable for each venue. That brief time is sandwiched between several minutes during which the rocket slices through every layer of the Earth's lower atmosphere, getting up close and personal with ozone, ions, and other atmospheric constituents.
Students watch the rocket launch their experiment into space, and return it to Earth for analysis.
The rocket will be launched, weather permitting, while the teams are at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility in June 2001. It is 14 inches in diameter and 225 inches tall. After flight, the payload section will be recovered by ship, and the experimental apparatus and data will be given to the teams for their analysis. Electrical power and electronic data recording and control equipment are provided as they are for the SEM flights, but SubSEM experiments may be energized before launch and during the entire flight. Additionally, video recording equipment can be made available for some experiments.