Lompoc, CA -
Last night at approx. 8:30pm, launch crews at Vandenburg AFB completed the first successful launch of the new Delta IV rocket. This rocket was deploying a satellite (for whom, I don't know) and from the information I've gathered, it was a complete success. We had crystal clear skies and no wind for the event.
Because it was launched at twilight, there were some great effects created by the exaust trail. At first, the smoke was dark gray, but as soon as it reached above the horizon of the setting sun, the trail was displaying incredible hues of yellow, orange and red, as you would see in clouds during sunset.
About a minute later, we saw the booster seperation and could watch them burning out as they began to tumble away. My oldest daughter (14 and a dolphin lover) asked me if the boosters would crash into the ocean. I told her yes. Then she asked if anyone would retrieve them. Sadly, I had to tell her that no one would go get them. So chalk up another case of military littering of our planet (1 of thousands).
The last part of the event was the rocket punching a hole through the upper atmosphere, which creates a halo of blues and greens. The halo appears and spreads very quickly at first, then lingers for quite a while. At this point the rocket disappeared and that was it.
The satellite deployment was successful.
One interesting note. There are a number of launch pads (called slicks) on Vandenburg. The slick used for this is number 6. Apparently this pad was literally built over a native american burial ground (the Chumash tribe) and until last night, no launch from this slick has gone without some kind of problem. Rockets have failed to launch, explosions, misfires, etc.
There were several opportunites for some good photos, but I didn't have my camera with me.
Did anyone else see it? Lets here your impressions.
Clear Skies,
David Eccles
Last night at approx. 8:30pm, launch crews at Vandenburg AFB completed the first successful launch of the new Delta IV rocket. This rocket was deploying a satellite (for whom, I don't know) and from the information I've gathered, it was a complete success. We had crystal clear skies and no wind for the event.
Because it was launched at twilight, there were some great effects created by the exaust trail. At first, the smoke was dark gray, but as soon as it reached above the horizon of the setting sun, the trail was displaying incredible hues of yellow, orange and red, as you would see in clouds during sunset.
About a minute later, we saw the booster seperation and could watch them burning out as they began to tumble away. My oldest daughter (14 and a dolphin lover) asked me if the boosters would crash into the ocean. I told her yes. Then she asked if anyone would retrieve them. Sadly, I had to tell her that no one would go get them. So chalk up another case of military littering of our planet (1 of thousands).
The last part of the event was the rocket punching a hole through the upper atmosphere, which creates a halo of blues and greens. The halo appears and spreads very quickly at first, then lingers for quite a while. At this point the rocket disappeared and that was it.
The satellite deployment was successful.
One interesting note. There are a number of launch pads (called slicks) on Vandenburg. The slick used for this is number 6. Apparently this pad was literally built over a native american burial ground (the Chumash tribe) and until last night, no launch from this slick has gone without some kind of problem. Rockets have failed to launch, explosions, misfires, etc.
There were several opportunites for some good photos, but I didn't have my camera with me.
Did anyone else see it? Lets here your impressions.
Clear Skies,
David Eccles
