Danny caddyshack Noonan Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 If the winds die down enough, Atlas V launch from VAFB tonight. 9:24 PM. Scuttlebutt is for a mostly southerly track, visible as far north as San Jose or Sac if the skies are clear as well as crossing in front of the Southland. This one is solid assisted so, should have an illuminated plume more visible than only kerosene or hydrogen burning rockets. Spaceflightnow.com and ulalaunch.com for updates. Link to comment
enfoman Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 I saw an Atlas V launch many years ago at Canaveral. When the five Boosters dropped off, I thought it was great! Never did see the Saturn V or a shuttle launch, Sadly, a missed opportunity. Link to comment
Danny caddyshack Noonan Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Enfoman You saw the Pluto launch! The fastest manmade object ever to go outside of Earths orbit. Something else went toward the Sun with a g assist. There's another 5 solid launch in August, a 4 in Oct/November and a 3 in Feb or so....all from the Cape. Link to comment
ESokoloff Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Sounds like a scrub according to my source: LAUNCH ALERT Brian Webb Ventura County, California launch-alert-editor@earthlink.net www.spacearchive.info 2011 April 14 (Thursday) 05:07 PDT ---------------------------------------------------------------------- LAUNCH STATUS by Brian Webb Tonight's launch of an Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg AFB remains on schedule. The rocket is slated to lift-off from Space Launch Complex 3 at 21:24 (9:24 p.m.) PDT, the start of a launch window of unknown duration, and carry a classified payload into orbit for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office However, the odds of acceptable weather at launch time are only 30% because of excessive winds. In the event the launch is scrubbed, similar weather condition will persist Friday night and over the weekend. Link to comment
Danny caddyshack Noonan Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 Webcast looked like the core vehicle plume was backlit by the sun. Link to comment
bmw_rider Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 While stationed at VAFB in, oh too long ago to say, working in the second from the top level of the airfield control tower I was on a swing shift and got to witness to launches I'll never forget. A Saturn V, and a double Minuteman launch at sunset. WIth the elevated view and one of the Minuteman underground silos being the closest one to the airfield, I got to see the concret doors blown back, the flames first come out of the hole, then switch over to the venting ports as the rocket itself emerged and plugged the hole. Link to comment
ESokoloff Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 While stationed at VAFB in, oh too long ago to say, working in the second from the top level of the airfield control tower I was on a swing shift and got to witness to launches I'll never forget. A Saturn V, and a double Minuteman launch at sunset. WIth the elevated view and one of the Minuteman underground silos being the closest one to the airfield, I got to see the concret doors blown back, the flames first come out of the hole, then switch over to the venting ports as the rocket itself emerged and plugged the hole. Kinda like Not nearly as much activity these days as compared to the Cold War era. Link to comment
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