WASP

In the 1960s, NASA used the name WASP for a type of research rocket. One important launch happened on June 7, 1966, from Wallops Island, Virginia. This mission was designed to study how liquids move in space, which is important for building better fuel tanks for spacecraft. Scientists needed to understand how liquids behave when there’s no gravity pulling them down, like in space.

For this experiment, the rocket carried a clear plastic tank filled with alcohol so scientists could watch how the liquid sloshed around in weightlessness. The data from this experiment helped NASA improve spacecraft fuel systems, making sure that fuel moves properly in low gravity. This research played an important role in designing safer and more efficient spacecraft for future missions.