Northrop Grumman’s Stargazer aircraft, carrying the company’s Pegasus XL rocket with NASA’s Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON), has entered the drop box – a 40-mile long area that the rocket can be dropped in. At this point, Stargazer has reached the required altitude of 39,000 feet.
In just a few moments, the rocket will drop from the aircraft. Following the drop, the rocket will freefall for about five seconds before its first stage motor ignites.