ULA, NASA complete rehearsal for upcoming launch to study Trojan asteroid WFTV

KENNEDY ROOM CENTER. Fla. — United Launch Alliance conducts rehearsal for the upcoming rocket launch for NASA’s Lucy mission.

The ULA AtlasV rocket launched onto the Space Launch Complex-41 launch pad Friday and was pushed to help ensure the system is ready for launch on October 16.

WATCH: NASA’s Lucy mission will launch October 16 to study the Trojan asteroid

The rocket lost its payload for testing as 66,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen fuel were transferred into and then drained from the rocket.

Photo: ULA, NASA complete wet suit drills for upcoming launch to study Trojan asteroids

The joint ULA and NASA team report all systems will continue with the upcoming launch.

READ: NASA, SpaceX Boost Crew-3 Rocket Launch at Kennedy Space Center

NASA’s Lucy mission will travel 4 billion miles over 12 years to study the movements of seven Trojan asteroids.

NASA officials say the Lucy spacecraft will be the first space mission to explore a diverse population of the tiny object known as the Jupiter Trojan asteroid.

Asteroids are remnants of our early solar system.

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Officials say the Trojan asteroids are in two swarms leading and following Jupiter in their orbits around the sun and are nearly as numerous as objects in the main asteroid belt.

Channel 9 will continue to cover the launch and provide updates on Eyewitness News.

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