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<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<title id="title">Jules van Irsel</title>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
<link rel="stylesheet" href="assets/css/main.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.0.0-beta3/css/all.min.css">
<script src="assets/js/jquery.min.js"></script>
</head>
<body>
<div class="page-margins">
<!-- navigation -->
<nav id="nav" class="nav-panel">
<button id="nav-close-btn" onclick=closeNav() type="button" title="closeNav"></button>
<ul>
<li><a href="index.html">Home</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/cv.pdf" target="_">CV</a></li>
<li><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick=openNavA()>Research</a>
<ul id="navA">
<li><a href="auroral-science.html">Auroral System Science</a></li>
<li><a href="plasma-modeling.html">Ionospheric Plasma Modeling</a></li>
<li><a href="conferences.html">Meetings & Conferences</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="current"><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick=openNavB()>Rocket Science</a>
<ul id="navB">
<li><a href="317-lab.html">The Lynch Rocket Lab</a></li>
<li><a href="data-parsing.html">Data Parsing</a></li>
<li><a href="vacuum-testing.html">Vacuum Testing</a></li>
<li><a href="fieldwork.html">Fieldwork Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick=openNavBB() id="rockets">Participated Missions</a>
<ul id="navBB">
<li><a href="https://sites.dartmouth.edu/lynch-rocket-lab/rockets/gneiss/#:~:text=The%20Geophysical%20Non-Equilibrium%20Ionospheric%20System%20Science%20%28GNEISS%29%20rockets%2C,imagery%2C%20to%20the%20study%20of%20non-idealized%2C%20non-sheetlike%20nightsi" target="_">GNEISS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/nasa-to-launch-sounding-rockets-into-moons-shadow-during-solar-eclipse/" target="_">APEP-2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/sounding-rockets/nasa-rocket-team-to-chase-pulsating-aurora/" target="_">LAMP</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/sounding-rockets/science-at-the-cusp-nasa-rocket-to-study-mysterious-area-above-the-north-pole/" target="_">C-REX-2</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/sounding-rockets/nasa-wallops-may-rocket-launch-exploring-energy-transport-in-space/" target="_">KiNET-X</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/sounding-rockets/visions-2-provides-a-look-at-earths-escaping-atmosphere/" target="_">VISIONS-2</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick=openNavC()>Proposals</a>
<ul id="navC">
<li><a href="documents/finesst-proposal.pdf" target="_">FINESST (NASA Grad. Funding)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do?solId={10514572-CA34-A48D-7887-425E5A561AD2}&path=open" target="_">GNEISS (NASA HLCAS)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do?solId={CE94D9F1-858E-F22E-513F-8DF6F389B4AF}&path=open" target="_">ARCS (NASA MIDEX)</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/thesis-proposal.pdf" target="_">Thesis Proposal</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick=openNavD()>Education</a>
<ul id="navD">
<li><a href="grad-courses.html">Physics Ph.D.</a></li>
<li><a href="undergrad-courses.html">Astrophysics B.Sc.</a></li>
<li><a href="diploma-courses.html">Mech. Engineering Diploma</a></li>
<li><a href="other-courses.html">Supplementary Courses</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick=openNavE()>Publications</a>
<ul id="navE">
<li><a href="documents/jgr_vanirsel_etal_2025.pdf">van Irsel, et al. (2025)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2024JA032722" target="_">van Irsel, et al. (2024)</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/arcs-section-d.pdf" target="_">Lynch, et al. (2024)</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/arcs-section-e.pdf" target="_">Erlandson, et al. (2024)</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="javascript:void(0)" onclick=scrollToForm()>Contact</a></li>
</ul>
</nav>
<!-- dark mode -->
<div id="dark">
<label class="switch">
<input id="darkmode" type="checkbox" title="Dark mode">
<span class="slider round"></span>
</label>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="section-title"><p>Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard: A Blog</p></div>
<div class="section-subtitle">
<p>
VISIONS-2 Sounding Rocket Integration
</p>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<!-- content -->
<div class="content">
<a href="images/ny-alesund-landscape.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-landscape-small.jpg" title="ny-alesund-landscape">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>79° North</h2>
<p>
My first experience with sounding rockets was just a few weeks into my Instrument Design and
Assembly Assistant position at the University of Calgary. I was asked to help integrate two rocket
Miniature Plasma Imagers
(<a href="https://ucalgary.ca/news/scientists-mini-instruments-help-measure-weather-space" target="_">rMPI</a>)
onto the <em>Visualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral Atom Sensing-2</em>
(<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/sounding-rockets/visions-2-provides-a-look-at-earths-escaping-atmosphere/" target="_">VISIONS-2</a>)
sounding rockets. I was told the integration would take place in Norway, but I did not fully grasp
<em>where</em> in Norway.
<br><br>
On November 11, 2018, I embarked on a journey to
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svalbard_Rocket_Range" target="_">The Svalbard Rocket Range</a>
in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway, situated at the 79th parallel north. It took four flights and five days to get
there, and, upon arrival, we didn't see the sun again for another eight days.
<br><br>
Below is a glimpse into this incredible journey—a small collage of unforgettable moments from the trip!
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/ny-alesund-plane.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-plane-small.jpg" title="ny-alesund-plane">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Charter Flight LTR751</h2>
<p>
The last leg of travel required a charter flight which uses this beautiful Dornier 228-212NG aircraft. It took
off a couple days after I landed in Longyearbyen, the de facto capital of Svalbard, which meant I got to
explore <q>the world's northernmost settlement with a population greater than 1000</q>.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/ny-alesund-landing.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-landing-small.jpg" title="ny-alesund-landing">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Crosswind Landing on Ice</h2>
<p>
After a 21-minute flight, we landed in the dark, with crosswind, on a strip of ice. I got a decent, albeit
shaky, picture through the front windows.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/ny-alesund-group.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-group-small.jpg" title="ny-alesund-group">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>The Austre Brøggerbreen Glacier</h2>
<p>
A small group of us walked down to the Austre Brøggerbreen glacier which provides the entire settlement with
water. Though it looks relatively bright, there is no direct sunlight all day, just high-ISO cameras and
moonlight. The landscape was austere and truly beautiful.
<br><br>
Left to right: Jason McLain, Jon Leithe, Joe Kujawski, David Bang-Hauge, Jules van Irsel, Uncertain
<!-- brøgger; david; groupshot; jason; joe; jules; månelys; svalbard; svein; tvillingvann; -->
<br><br>
Photo credit: <a href="https://youpic.com/jonleithe" target="_">Jon Leithe</a>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/ny-alesund-lidar.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-lidar-small.jpg" title="ny-alesund-lidar">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>KARL</h2>
<p>
Shown here is the laser light from the Koldewey Aerosol Raman Lidar, or KARL. Such a lidar determines ranges by
measuring the time it takes for laser light to reflect objects, in this case different layers of the atmosphere.
<br><br>
Photo credit: <a href="https://youpic.com/jonleithe" target="_">Jon Leithe</a>
</p>
</div>
</div>
<!-- <div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/ny-alesund-rmpis.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-rmpis.jpg" title="ny-alesund-rmpis">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Image Title</h2>
<p>
Text
</p>
</div>
</div> -->
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<div class="caption">
<h2>Anlegestelle für Luftschiffe</h2>
<p>
Translated into English: <q>Landing stage for airships</q>. This tower hosted the Norge N1 airship, piloted by
Roald Amundsen, Lincoln Ellsworth, and Umberto Nobile. It was the first airship to fly over the North Pole
from Europe to North America in 1926, which took 70 hours of 5300 km continuous flight.
</p>
</div>
<a href="images/ny-alesund-tower.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-tower-small.jpg" title="ny-alesund-tower">
</a>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<div class="caption">
<h2>VISIONS-2 Launch</h2>
<p>
The rockets launched on December 7, 2018, at 6:06 and 6:08 a.m. EST. Unfortunately, I did not witness the launch
as my job was done and accommodations in Ny-Ålesund are quite expensive. All I know is that my instruments
operated nominally!
<br><br>
Photo credit: <a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/sounding-rockets/visions-2-provides-a-look-at-earths-escaping-atmosphere/" target="_">NASA / Allison Stancil-Ervin</a>
</p>
</div>
<a href="images/ny-alesund-launch.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/ny-alesund-launch.jpg" title="ny-alesund-launch">
</a>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="section-title"><p>Poker Flat Research Range: A Blog</p></div>
<div class="section-subtitle">
<p>
LAMP Sounding Rocket Integration
</p>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/lamp.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/lamp-small.jpg" title="lamp">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Poker Flat, Alaska</h2>
<p>
This image captures the launch of the <em>Loss through Auroral Microburst Pulsations</em>
(<a href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/sounding-rockets/nasa-rocket-team-to-chase-pulsating-aurora/" target="_">LAMP</a>)
sounding rocket at 2:27 a.m. AKST on March 5, 2022. It was my job to integrate a total of eight Petite Ion
Probes
(<a href="https://pubs.aip.org/aip/rsi/article/91/9/094503/908508/Auroral-ionospheric-plasma-flow-extraction-using" target="_">PIPs</a>)
onto this rocket, along with their four controller boxes.
<br><br>
This experience brought me to Poker Flat Research Range
(<a href="https://www.pfrr.alaska.edu/" target="_">PFRR</a>) in Alaska, located about 30 miles north of
Fairbanks. This range houses five major launch pads used for sounding rocket missions and testing.
<br><br>
This integration was not without its hiccups. At one point, the rocket was on the rail, ready for launch, when
we had to disassemble it due to a power issue with the PIPs. Luckily, it turned out to just be a faulty ammeter!
<br><br>
Image credit: <a href="https://www.justinhartney.com/" target="_">Justin Hartney</a>.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/pfrr-airport.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/pfrr-airport-small.jpg" title="pfrr-airport">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Fairbanks International Airport</h2>
<p>
When I landed at the Fairbanks International Airport it was -40°F. This is not unusual in the winter months of
Alaska, of course, but after a month, including many night shifts, I was ready for some warmer days.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/pfrr-moose.mp4" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/pfrr-moose.gif" title="pfrr-moose">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Wildlife</h2>
<p>
The Alaskan moose are omnipresent in the area—I think we saw about ten total over the course of a month. This
cow and her calf almost stepped over our car!
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/pfrr-chatanika.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/pfrr-chatanika-small.jpg" title="pfrr-chatanika">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Chatanika Lodge</h2>
<p>
A beloved gem in the area, the Chatanika Lodge offers an unforgettable experience. Our entire crew spent an
evening here, enjoying dinner and marveling at the lodge's distinctive decor—a fascinating collection of
taxidermy and trinkets thoughtfully accumulated over the course of over 50 years.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/pfrr-monitor.mp4" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/pfrr-monitor.gif" title="pfrr-monitor">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Instrument Health</h2>
<p>
As I mentioned earlier, the integration process encountered a few bumps along the way. In the top left of this
monitoring display, you can see the PIP power, voltage, and current readings, along with various data stream
indicators. At one point, the power was measuring too high, which resulted in the rocket having to come off the
rail and an investigation as to what was happening. Luckily, it was the ammeter that was faulty, and the PIPs
were operating nominally.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/pfrr-clock.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/pfrr-clock.jpg" title="pfrr-clock">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Counting Down</h2>
<p>
After a scrubbed launch the night before, on March 5, 2022, just after 2 a.m. the countdown began and at 27
minutes into the hour, LAMP launched!
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<div class="caption">
<h2>LAMP Launch</h2>
<p>
This was my first in-person sounding rocket launch, and it was incredible. Please click on this gif to watch the
video with sound and listen to the roaring boom of the first stage of the Black Brant IX suborbital sounding
rocket.
</p>
</div>
<a href="images/pfrr-launch.mp4" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/pfrr-launch.gif" title="pfrr-launch">
</a>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/pfrr-sunset.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/pfrr-sunset-small.jpg" title="pfrr-sunset">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Alaska</h2>
<p>
I will let this image speak for itself.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="section-title"><p>Wallops Flight Facility</p></div>
<div class="section-subtitle">
<p>
CREX-2 and LAMP Sounding Rocket Testing and Integration
</p>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
<div class="content">
<a href="images/wff-rocket-building.jpg" target="_" class="img">
<img src="images/wff-rocket-building-small.jpg" title="wff-rocket-building">
</a>
<div class="caption-right">
<h2>Building F-10</h2>
<p>
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Wallops Flight Facility hosts the Sounding Rockets Program Office (SRPO).
Pictured here is the front of building F-10, where suborbital launch vehicles are manufactured and where payload
development and testing happens. Unfortunately, as the facility also houses the US Navy's Surface Combat Systems
Center, this is the only photo posted for legal reasons.
</p>
</div>
</div>
<div class="hline"></div>
</div>
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<h4>Get in Touch</h4>
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<input type="text" name="name" id="name" placeholder="Name" autocomplete="off" />
<input type="email" name="email" id="email" placeholder="Email" autocomplete="off" />
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<div>
<h5>Transcripts</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="documents/transcript-dartmouth.pdf" target="_">Dartmouth College</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/transcript-uofc.pdf" target="_">University of Calgary</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/transcript-sait.pdf" target="_">SAIT Polytechnic</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h5>Selected Publications</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="documents/jgr_vanirsel_etal_2025.pdf" target="_">van Irsel et al. (2025), <em>JGR</em></a></li>
<li><a href="https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1029/2024JA032722" target="_">van Irsel et al. (2024), <em>JGR</em></a></li>
<li><a href="documents/arcs-section-d.pdf" target="_">Lynch et al. (2024), <em>NASA</em></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h5>Documents</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="documents/cv.pdf" target="_">Curriculum Vitae</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/thesis.pdf" target="_">Dissertation</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/thesis-proposal.pdf" target="_">Thesis Proposal</a></li>
<li><a href="documents/finesst-proposal.pdf" target="_">NASA FINESST Proposal</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<h5>In the news</h5>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/2023/10/13/metro/darmouth-professor-kristina-lynch-rockets-eclipse-nasa/" target="_">Rockets Studying the Eclipse</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.astech.ca/archives/indexofpastwinners/space-physics-group-university-of-calgary" target="_">2018 ASTech Special Award</a></li>
<li><a href="https://home.dartmouth.edu/news/2020/09/dartmouth-proposal-chosen-possible-space-mission" target="_">ARCS Proposal</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiX9xL_YhvM" target="_">Surveying the Northern Lights</a></li>
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