Author Topic: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread  (Read 15964 times)

Offline grythumn

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ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« on: 10/22/2014 09:43 pm »
jmsjr's list of launch viewing locations. The ones I've used and recommend are Old Ferry and Arbuckle Road. Visitor's center does have bathrooms, but it's much further away.

http://goo.gl/maps/7SDDv

I've got the day off, so I plan to visit both Old Ferry and Arbuckle again and see how things get framed with the big lens and my 300 with a TC. It's an evening launch, and I don't think it's been quite cold enough yet... I'm bringing some mosquito repellant.

-Bob

Offline grythumn

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #1 on: 10/25/2014 07:17 pm »
If you don't plan to come to Wallops Island, this launch should be quite visible across a good chunk of the central eastern seaboard, particularly MD, DE, VA and DC.

http://www.nasa.gov/content/first-nighttime-launch-of-the-antares-rocket-scheduled-oct-27-from-wallops/

-Bob

Offline Scylla

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #2 on: 10/26/2014 03:11 pm »
Another viewing chart
I reject your reality and substitute my own--Doctor Who

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #3 on: 10/26/2014 03:15 pm »
I see that this launch should happen 38 minutes after sunset if it does happen tomorrow. Would the rocket get itself high enough to get within sunlight before the first stage finished burning? Or would it take at least 1 day's slip to see the light effects?
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline wetaylor

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #4 on: 10/26/2014 08:32 pm »
Just as an afterthought, the Space Station will be overhead 4 minutes after scheduled launch tomorrow night

Mon Oct 27, 6:49 PM visible for 6 min 87°
appears     10 above NW
disappears 11 above SE 

Should be dark enough for easy viewing

Offline IanH84

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #5 on: 10/26/2014 10:21 pm »
I see that this launch should happen 38 minutes after sunset if it does happen tomorrow. Would the rocket get itself high enough to get within sunlight before the first stage finished burning? Or would it take at least 1 day's slip to see the light effects?
I'm not sure about the first stage, but I've watched a couple of launches from beaches up here in CT and the second stage provides quite a light show as the flame is quite visible and lights up the exhaust plume brightly. I'm heading down to the beach tomorrow with a few friends to watch.

Offline jsmjr

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #6 on: 10/26/2014 10:37 pm »
jmsjr's list of launch viewing locations. The ones I've used and recommend are Old Ferry and Arbuckle Road. Visitor's center does have bathrooms, but it's much further away.

http://goo.gl/maps/7SDDv


As a bonus, Google has recently updated the satellite imagery at Wallops.  Not only is Launch Pad 0-A shown in its current configuration, there's an Antares rocket on the pad!   8)

I may also take off work early tomorrow and make the drive over from DC.  Still considering, as I think the lighting will be somewhat challenging for photography.

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #7 on: 10/27/2014 12:05 am »
So when will the jokes come in that Antares didn't really launch because Google still shows it n the pad ;)
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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #8 on: 10/27/2014 01:12 am »
jmsjr's list of launch viewing locations. The ones I've used and recommend are Old Ferry and Arbuckle Road. Visitor's center does have bathrooms, but it's much further away.

http://goo.gl/maps/7SDDv


As a bonus, Google has recently updated the satellite imagery at Wallops.  Not only is Launch Pad 0-A shown in its current configuration, there's an Antares rocket on the pad!   8)

I may also take off work early tomorrow and make the drive over from DC.  Still considering, as I think the lighting will be somewhat challenging for photography.

Checking Google Earth, that photo was taken on March 9, 2013 - that means the rocket on the pad is the one that did the first hot-fire test half a month ago ahead of the first flight.  ;)
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline spacedog71

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #9 on: 10/27/2014 12:58 pm »
first one to arbuckle neck road, please report back re: whether it's in fact going to be open for traffic tonight.
/worried

Offline grythumn

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #10 on: 10/27/2014 08:47 pm »
Arbuckle is open but crowded and getting more so. Im kinda parked in, so I'm staying here

Offline rayleighscatter

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #11 on: 10/27/2014 10:44 pm »
Tried to watch the launch a good 100 or so miles NW in Annapolis, and was pleasantly surprised to see about 40 or so other people who were also trying to watch from there.

Offline jsmjr

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #12 on: 10/27/2014 11:12 pm »
Ran into Bill Ingalls at the Tidal Basin, along with a couple dozen other launch gazers.  Glad I didn't go to Wallops because I would not have been able to stay over.

Offline vt_hokie

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #13 on: 10/27/2014 11:42 pm »
Well, I ran into some folks in Yorktown, VA hoping to catch the launch!  Hopefully we'll have better luck tomorrow!


Offline Prober

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #14 on: 10/28/2014 02:13 am »
did anyone see a sailboat?
 :P
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Offline SaxtonHale

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #15 on: 10/28/2014 04:13 am »
They have several Phalanx CIWS on the island with live rounds, used by the Navy for training purposes.

I keep thinking they need to fire off a couple (hundred) warning shots.

Here's to better luck tomorrow.
« Last Edit: 10/28/2014 04:17 am by SaxtonHale »

Offline chrisking0997

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #16 on: 10/28/2014 04:54 pm »
Well, I ran into some folks in Yorktown, VA hoping to catch the launch!  Hopefully we'll have better luck tomorrow!

didnt think of Yorktown...what pier is that?

going to take the kids to Buckroe tonight
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Offline vt_hokie

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #17 on: 10/28/2014 05:07 pm »

didnt think of Yorktown...what pier is that?


It's the fishing pier just to the east of Yorktown beach and almost directly below the Yorktown Victory Monument.

Offline kch

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #18 on: 10/28/2014 05:28 pm »
They have several Phalanx CIWS on the island with live rounds, used by the Navy for training purposes.

I keep thinking they need to fire off a couple (hundred) warning shots.

Here's to better luck tomorrow.

Hoping there's no "failboat" this time!  ;)

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #19 on: 10/28/2014 05:47 pm »
I'll be out with my PT boat today keeping the range clear... ;D
"The laws of physics are unforgiving"
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Offline jsmjr

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #20 on: 10/28/2014 06:21 pm »
30% cloud cover in DC (109 miles) at 6 pm tonight is going to make things really tough.  Damn boat!   >:(

Probably a nice sunset though.   :P

Offline grythumn

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #21 on: 10/28/2014 07:33 pm »
Last attempt's thread is closed, so I'll post the pictures here. The close-up is from my new lens, a 1000mm F/10 mirror. It's slow, manual focus but definitely quite sharp. The other shots are from my older 75-300mm lens; as you can see it is not at it's best at 300mm.

The framing on the 1000mm lens is very tight at Arbuckle. It might be better suited to Old Ferry.

-Bob

Offline cpooley

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #22 on: 10/28/2014 10:37 pm »
Where will the failure, causes be discussed?   Appears one of the NK-33's blew up

Offline jsmjr

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #23 on: 10/28/2014 11:05 pm »
Do we think this is the end of viewing at Arbuckle and other nearby sites like the Ferry Dock? 

On the one hand, the safety cordon proved sufficient and no one was hurt, just scared.  But something like this is bound to make people think, and the reflex is to layer on more and more security. 

I only hope that the powers that be remember that the safety zone and procedures were thoroughly considered well before this and apparently the precautions worked.

Offline Helodriver

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #24 on: 10/28/2014 11:11 pm »
Do we think this is the end of viewing at Arbuckle and other nearby sites like the Ferry Dock? 

On the one hand, the safety cordon proved sufficient and no one was hurt, just scared.  But something like this is bound to make people think, and the reflex is to layer on more and more security. 

I only hope that the powers that be remember that the safety zone and procedures were thoroughly considered well before this and apparently the precautions worked.

Well there are quite a few expensive private homes at the same distance as those viewing sites, so if a greater security zone is going to be established, its going to mean enforced evacuations of residents. A consequence of that proposal might be push back by neighbors about limiting the use of Wallops for large rockets. Lots in flux right now.

Offline skymech231

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #25 on: 10/28/2014 11:25 pm »
Any word on how far away the sound of the blast was heard?
Semper Fi

Offline grythumn

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #26 on: 10/28/2014 11:32 pm »
Any word on how far away the sound of the blast was heard?

I didn't hear anything in Columbia, MD, about 120 mi away. Probably limited to the eastern eastern shore.

-Bob

Offline CardBoardBoxProcessor

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #27 on: 10/29/2014 01:08 am »
Nothing heard from Annapolis.

Offline Halidon

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #28 on: 10/29/2014 02:21 am »
My parents live in Fairfax VA and they didn't hear anything.

Offline vt_hokie

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #29 on: 10/29/2014 02:31 am »
Nothing in Yorktown either. 

Offline jsmjr

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #30 on: 10/29/2014 02:40 am »
Do we think this is the end of viewing at Arbuckle and other nearby sites like the Ferry Dock? 

On the one hand, the safety cordon proved sufficient and no one was hurt, just scared.  But something like this is bound to make people think, and the reflex is to layer on more and more security. 

I only hope that the powers that be remember that the safety zone and procedures were thoroughly considered well before this and apparently the precautions worked.

Well there are quite a few expensive private homes at the same distance as those viewing sites, so if a greater security zone is going to be established, its going to mean enforced evacuations of residents. A consequence of that proposal might be push back by neighbors about limiting the use of Wallops for large rockets. Lots in flux right now.

I know it's super early, but I was heartened to hear a defense of the existing 8500' safety perimeter in tonight's initial press conference by Bill Wrobel, the Wallops facility director.  It remains to be seen if actual experience with mapping the debris pattern changes things.  The videos showed a strong southerly wind which spread smoke and other debris north along Wallops Island proper, rather than inward towards the mainland public areas.  Of course, ocean currents will likely have a greater impact on the spread of potentially dangerous debris than anything, but I'm not sure how that will change any closed areas in the future. 

Offline Rocket Science

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #31 on: 10/29/2014 12:09 pm »
I wonder what the boat skipper who violated the exclusion zone Monday is thinking right now...
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Offline Prober

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #32 on: 10/30/2014 02:44 pm »
I wonder what the boat skipper who violated the exclusion zone Monday is thinking right now...

a lesson learned?  ::)
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Offline king1999

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #33 on: 10/30/2014 10:57 pm »
I wonder what the boat skipper who violated the exclusion zone Monday is thinking right now...

There is a small (tiny) possibility that he may have caused it, if the problem was that an foreign object was introduced in the second fueling, or something was caused by the detanking/retanking.

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #34 on: 10/30/2014 11:09 pm »
There is a small (tiny) possibility that he may have caused it, if the problem was that an foreign object was introduced in the second fueling, or something was caused by the detanking/retanking.
It would have had to been introduced into the LOX tank, I thought the Kero tank was not detanked between launch attempts.
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Offline Rocket Science

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #35 on: 10/30/2014 11:19 pm »
I wonder what the boat skipper who violated the exclusion zone Monday is thinking right now...

a lesson learned?  ::)
One would hope! :)
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Offline John-H

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #36 on: 10/30/2014 11:48 pm »
I wonder what the boat skipper who violated the exclusion zone Monday is thinking right now...

There is a small (tiny) possibility that he may have caused it, if the problem was that an foreign object was introduced in the second fueling, or something was caused by the detanking/retanking.

Thermal cycling of the oxygen tank?  Didn't the shuttle have problems with repeatedly filling the hydrogen tank?

John

Offline Prober

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #37 on: 10/31/2014 12:09 am »
I wonder what the boat skipper who violated the exclusion zone Monday is thinking right now...

There is a small (tiny) possibility that he may have caused it, if the problem was that an foreign object was introduced in the second fueling, or something was caused by the detanking/retanking.

caused might be too strong;  contributing factor might be more of a possibility
« Last Edit: 10/31/2014 01:06 am by Prober »
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Offline cscott

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #38 on: 10/31/2014 01:01 am »
I wonder what the boat skipper who violated the exclusion zone Monday is thinking right now...
And remember just before Tuesday's launch there was a range issue announced on-net related to someone who had to move their car.

I wonder if they ended up moving their car far enough?  There was apparently a decent amount of car damage (again, according to what was said on net).

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: ORB-3 Launch viewing thread
« Reply #39 on: 10/31/2014 11:26 am »
I wonder if they ended up moving their car far enough?  There was apparently a decent amount of car damage (again, according to what was said on net).
Are they looking at a repeat of GPS IIR-1, or will it buff out?
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