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Why They're Launching Rockets Into the Northern Lights

Season 3 Episode 2 | 9m 27s

The rockets fired from Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska aren’t headed to mars, the moon, or even space–they’re headed into the northern lights. In Alaska’s frozen darkness, scientists launch instruments straight through the aurora to study solar storms that can disrupt GPS, satellites, and power grids. What they discover could help protect our planet from the next big space weather event.

Aired: 03/06/26
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