Air Force Reservists support launch of NASA Spacecraft to Study Magnetic Reconnection Published March 13, 2015 By 920th Rescue Wing Public Affairs PATRICK AFB, Fla. -- Air Force Reservists from the 920th Rescue Wing supported the successful rocket launch of NASA's four Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) spacecraft which are now positioned in Earth's orbit to begin the first space mission dedicated to the study of a phenomenon called magnetic reconnection. This process is thought to be the catalyst for some of the most powerful explosions in our solar system, according to NASA. The spacecraft, positioned one on top of the other on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 421 rocket, launched at 10:44 p.m. EDT Thursday from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. Search and Rescue Airmen from the 920th RQW took off several hours prior to the launch in two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and went to work securing the Eastern Range area beneath the launch trajectory to ensure everyone was safe from any potential launch hazards. After reaching orbit, each spacecraft deployed from the rocket's upper stage sequentially, in five-minute increments, beginning at 12:16 a.m. Friday, with the last separation occurring at 12:31 a.m. NASA scientists and engineers were able to confirm the health of all separated spacecraft at 12:40 a.m. Scientists expect the mission will not only help them better understand magnetic reconnection, but also will provide insight into these powerful events, which can disrupt modern technological systems such as communications networks, GPS navigation, and electrical power grids. Information from this news release courtesy NASA.