My SSR: #1740 - Yellow ~ Built 11-18-2003 Took Delivery 12/05/2003
Vandenberg Rocket Launch - June 14/15th
Just checking to see if anybody is interested in a run to Vandenberg in mid June.
There's a scientific launch scheduled for the EARLY morning hours on June 15th (01:47) - or very late on Saturday night (however you look at it! ) - and I was planning to head that way.
Since this is a scientific (rather than military) launch - the date and time have been announced for quite some time - and these launches tend to be more predicable.
Details: Vandenberg AFB Launch Schedule
Date/time: JUN 15 / 01:47 -
Launch Vehicle: Delta II -
Launch Pad: SLC-2W -
Details: Delta II 7320 launch vehicle configuration. Payload is the OSTM/Jason-2 scientific satellite. Spacecraft will enter a 1336 km, circular, non-sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 66°. The ground track will repeat every 10 days.
They must have fired off a big boy last weekend. I must say there was enough exhaust plume to match the shuttle launch. The plume was very pretty as the sun was setting. I watched the Commercial Aircraft try to fly around the plume. It was funny to watch the pilots abviously confused on which way to go around the plume. You could see their con trail go left then right. Then finally they just flew through it. This plume was very large and almost imposible to fly around.
I live in Vandenberg Village and it's always a gamble with visibility at night due to the marine layer and fog. That being said one of the best viewing areas is from Harris Grade, a well paved twisty connecting Los Alamos to Lompoc. Another great viewing spot is from the Federal Penitentiary, but don't ask me how I know that.
My SSR: #1740 - Yellow ~ Built 11-18-2003 Took Delivery 12/05/2003
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlashBack
I live in Vandenberg Village and it's always a gamble with visibility at night due to the marine layer and fog. That being said one of the best viewing areas is from Harris Grade, a well paved twisty connecting Los Alamos to Lompoc. Another great viewing spot is from the Federal Penitentiary, but don't ask me how I know that.
Thanks - I was looking for some local insider info!
Are you familar with a viewing location on Corral Road off of Lompoc Casmalia road? I read an article that referred to a location there that has a parking area and bleachers???
I figured the weather would be the biggest factor...
My SSR: #1740 - Yellow ~ Built 11-18-2003 Took Delivery 12/05/2003
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoodyBlue
They must have fired off a big boy last weekend. I must say there was enough exhaust plume to match the shuttle launch. The plume was very pretty as the sun was setting. I watched the Commercial Aircraft try to fly around the plume. It was funny to watch the pilots abviously confused on which way to go around the plume. You could see their con trail go left then right. Then finally they just flew through it. This plume was very large and almost imposible to fly around.
I saw some strange activity in the western sky last week too - like all the international arrivals were making big 'S' turns before heading down to LA - didn't think was a launch last week though!
Thanks - I was looking for some local insider info!
Are you familar with a viewing location on Corral Road off of Lompoc Casmalia road? I read an article that referred to a location there that has a parking area and bleachers???
I figured the weather would be the biggest factor...
I'll check that location out and get back to you.
June is sometimes the toughest month to get clear nites this close to the ocean. It's called June gloom.
) - and I was planning to head that way.
sorry ssr's full no other riders allowed
SSR Permigrin 4 Years and still going!
