Normally I'm in the U.S. Southeast, but I will be in California for this launch (assuming it happens in the second half of January). I'm familiar with east coast viewability of launches from the Cape, but no clue about west coast. How far north in California would the launch be viewable, if only a bright spec in the far distance?If Jan 17-24, I'll be on a hilltop north of San Francisco looking towards the south ...If Jan 24-30, I'll be in Los Angeles ...
Quote from: ChrisC on 12/30/2015 04:57 amNormally I'm in the U.S. Southeast, but I will be in California for this launch (assuming it happens in the second half of January). I'm familiar with east coast viewability of launches from the Cape, but no clue about west coast. How far north in California would the launch be viewable, if only a bright spec in the far distance?If Jan 17-24, I'll be on a hilltop north of San Francisco looking towards the south ...If Jan 24-30, I'll be in Los Angeles ...San Francisco will be the equivalent of watching KSC from Savannah, Georgia. I assume that's not great.My map fu is a bit weaker to LA but I think that's the equivalent of watching from Jacksonville FL. Probably still not great.CA is big.
I'm heading to Lompoc to go see my first SpaceX launch...and maybe my first landing? Got everything all set, just need to figure out a good spot to view this launch and a possible landing attempt if such is in the works. (Of course if it's a barge landing then I'll need a place with good wifi as I doubt I'd be able to watch it in person).Will only be staying Sat night/Sun midday at present but have the option to extend if needed
San Francisco will be the equivalent of watching KSC from Savannah, Georgia. I assume that's not great. My map fu is a bit weaker to LA but I think that's the equivalent of watching from Jacksonville FL. Probably still not great. CA is big.
hi allI need some informations about forthcoming Falcon launch. In January I will be in Las Vegas for training period (I come from Europe). For me this is the unique opportunity to see rocket launch (maybe the only one in my life ). I would like to be very close so I decide to be on Renwick Ave (whereas the Surf Beach will be closed ).How long in advance is good to be in the place? Is there a lot of people? I go from Ventura, probably without internet, does exist some local radio station with launch info?I really hope for the first time launch because I have only free days 16-17 January. Thanks for answersPaul
Well, the scheduled opening of launch window should be a firm time whenever it is published (usually few days prior to launch). Rocket can't go up before that time. So I guess if you are at your spot before that time, all good. Might want to be bit early, as the rocket won't wait if you are delayed by traffic or something :p
I hope you get to see the launch, Paul!
Is there a particular location along W. Ocean Ave for that's best for viewing? I'm planning to drive up from LA to watch the launch.
Paul I'd focus on having a very up to date (with road upgrades) GPS system. Do lots of travel research, its not easy on those CA roads. Weather is radically different this year. There are some mountain passes you need to contend with. Coming from Europe you need to be up on your travel research.
Quote from: Prober on 01/02/2016 02:23 pmPaul I'd focus on having a very up to date (with road upgrades) GPS system. Do lots of travel research, its not easy on those CA roads. Weather is radically different this year. There are some mountain passes you need to contend with. Coming from Europe you need to be up on your travel research.I acknowledge and working on it. Thank you
I'll be flying in to BUR and heading up US 101, given the weather this year, would it be better to go up 101 to Buellton then 246 west to Lompoc, or to take Route 1 up to Lompoc, which I remember was a little bit "twisty" last time I used it to get to Lompoc for the Landsat launch?
Oh boy, the barge is about 170 miles away.I might try for Santa Ynez Peak with my 2000mm telescope w/ 4k video camera to avoid the marina condition. Looks like the sun will be above to the left where the barge is, not ideal viewing condition......
Quote from: Jdeshetler on 01/04/2016 06:36 pmOh boy, the barge is about 170 miles away.I might try for Santa Ynez Peak with my 2000mm telescope w/ 4k video camera to avoid the marina condition. Looks like the sun will be above to the left where the barge is, not ideal viewing condition......The barge will be far below the horizon, even from there. According to the Earth Curve calculator ( https://dizzib.github.io/earth/curve-calc/ ), you will lose sight of the stage below the horizon when it drops below ~4600 ft in altitude.
Jdeshetler, nice, 30deg is maybe not ideal but should still be OK. When are you going down?Also - how do you know the barge location? Is it confirmed they will use a barge and not return to Vandenberg?
How long in advance is good to be in the place?
there's likely no cell reception in those area
Anybody knows if the police bothers people that just pull over on W. Ocean Ave?
- W. Ocean Ave, as far as I know, the "closest" to the launch pad, that however is not directly visible. Hopefully police will not harass people at the side of the street. Not sure if it's allowed to camp for the night.- S. Ynez Peak, should give the best view of the rocket launch from a distance; I still do not understand if one could see the launch pad from there
I'm also considering going if weather is good. My main concern is Falcon having higher chance of scrub compared to Atlas. Maybe I'll take Monday off as a buffer.
Actually cell reception is decent in the area. I always had the webcast running during the countdown -- twice at Ocean/Renwick (Atlas 5) and once at the weather station (Delta 2).
- W. Ocean Ave, on launch day it will be crowded so don't worry about police. As for camping overnight, there are plenty of lodging options just 5 minutes away in Lompoc, why not get some good sleep indoors and drive back the next morning as early as you want?
- S. Ynez Peak, never been there but I'm curious too. Won't get the spectacular liftoff roar or close-up view, but on the other hand will be able to see the ascend from the side. I'm also wondering about pad visibility.
Quote from: xcel102 on 01/05/2016 08:56 amI'm also considering going if weather is good. My main concern is Falcon having higher chance of scrub compared to Atlas. Maybe I'll take Monday off as a buffer.Yes, that is a good idea - anybody knows if there is a backup date/time?PS why is there a 30s window in this kind of launch? It's not like they have to chase the ISS, I do not see why they could not launch at any time of the day or the night if they wish
In what orbit will Jason-3 fly?To ensure continuity of the global sea level record, Jason-3 will fly in the same 9.9 day repeat track orbit as all previous Jason missions, meaning the satellite will make observations over the same ocean point once every 9.9 days. The orbital parameters are: 66.05 degree inclination, 1380 km apogee, 1328 km perigee, 112 minutes per revolution around the earth.One of the primary objectives of the Jason program is to monitor sea level rise, a challenging task considering the need to maintain high levels of accuracy and precision from one satellite to the next over multiple decades of time. One way to help reach this goal is to avoid gaps in the data record by launching each new Jason satellite while the older Jason satellite is still operating properly. In the first six months after launch, Jason-3 will be flown one minute behind Jason-2/OSTM, in order to detect any offsets between the missions. Subsequently, Jason-2/OSTM will be moved to different 9.9 day orbit to provide additional data coverage.
I have performed my own analysis on whereter one would be able to see the launch pad from S. Ynez peak, and it seems it's not possible (see chart). However, I will probably still go up to have a look.The chart uses publicly available elevation data to calculate a profile, from SLC-4 on the left to S. Ynez peak on the right.
Is there a reason that people don't travel to the end of Ocean Ave to view the launch?
Is there a reason that people don't travel to the end of Ocean Ave to view the launch?View from the end of Ocean Ave:
Multiple sources are saying SpaceX will indeed try for an ASDS landing. Whichever place I end up to watch the launch from in the area will have good wifi or LTE reception so I can not only see the launch with my own eyes but also catch the webcast on the iPad as well.
Me, with wife and two kids too, from the Bay Area.Also, I will be active on ham radio (VHF/UHF). Anybody here a ham too?
Maybe familiar with a repeater that could be used to get information from people in their QTH with a reliable Internet connection.
Has there been any new "security requirements" listed for a viewing?Reason I'm asking is an experience that happened last week at a trade show.Clearly a major uptick in security. Even worse, they had the bomb sniffing dogs out in the isles. If you know anything about security you are aware what that means.
As an aside, VAFB's website now shows this:(Note launch and landing)
Quote from: jimvela on 01/13/2016 05:58 pmAs an aside, VAFB's website now shows this:(Note launch and landing)Hahaha. "Take that, 45th Space Wing! You may have stolen the first landing from us, but we're going to be even more innovative than you." -- 30th Space Wing
I wonder if the "to and from space" bit is a reference to dragon landings at VAFB. Doesn't quite make sense just talking about returning boosters.
Sudden Peak and the access road will be blocked by the sheriff since this area fall under "Clear Zone" as I am told since the flight path goes south.
I might considering going up to Santa Ynez Peak w/ my 4x4 truck (1.5 hrs from Lompoc and climbed 4,300'
We are flying down from Seattle tonight and will be at W Ocean Ave for the attempt. Can someone recommend a nearby restaurant/bar to watch the football game? Giving up most of the first half for but hoping to catch the rest after the launch.
We are flying down from Seattle tonight and will be at W Ocean Ave for the attempt.
Here's a view from Ocean and Renwick right now.
There are other vehicles with better visibility than Falcon.
I was parked behind a Semi carrying Liquid Nitrogen that was parked on the side of the road.
Quote from: Jim on 01/17/2016 10:16 pmThere are other vehicles with better visibility than Falcon.What launcher in what configuration would you say has the best visibility from Vandenberg, in your experience?
Quote from: Brovane on 01/17/2016 11:12 pmI was parked behind a Semi carrying Liquid Nitrogen that was parked on the side of the road. I must have been right next to you. I got a short video of the sound, but there wasn't even a orange glow through the clouds. Guess I'm coming back out for the next one!
Quote from: Jim_LAX on 01/17/2016 11:44 pmGliderFlyer: I was across the street and 100 yards farther South. Manoweb was another 100 yards South of me. I put signs in the side windows of my truck saying Jim_LAX, but we need a better way to identify each other. Yes?Anyone for a Delta IV heavy?
GliderFlyer: I was across the street and 100 yards farther South. Manoweb was another 100 yards South of me. I put signs in the side windows of my truck saying Jim_LAX, but we need a better way to identify each other. Yes?
Quote from: NovaSilisko on 01/17/2016 11:25 pmQuote from: Jim on 01/17/2016 10:16 pmThere are other vehicles with better visibility than Falcon.What launcher in what configuration would you say has the best visibility from Vandenberg, in your experience?Anything with solid boosters should be easier to see.
Quote from: Prober on 01/17/2016 11:46 pmQuote from: Jim_LAX on 01/17/2016 11:44 pmGliderFlyer: I was across the street and 100 yards farther South. Manoweb was another 100 yards South of me. I put signs in the side windows of my truck saying Jim_LAX, but we need a better way to identify each other. Yes?Anyone for a Delta IV heavy?There is a Delta IV Medium in February. It might help if the people that going PM each other and exchange cell phone #s so we can Txt each other when we arrive.
Question for anyone who might know: how big a crowd was that in the West Ocean Avenue area this morning?
Nothing to see, but plenty to hear!
The sad part was had it been set to launch 15 minutes later, I think we would have been able to see much more (or frankly anything). The sun started poking through the clouds at 11. But I guess SpaceX has bigger priorities than catering to the crowd.
Quote from: psloss on 01/17/2016 10:48 pmQuestion for anyone who might know: how big a crowd was that in the West Ocean Avenue area this morning?Looked like back to back cars pulled over on both sides for at least a mile.
Quote from: ArbitraryConstant on 01/18/2016 04:32 amQuote from: psloss on 01/17/2016 10:48 pmQuestion for anyone who might know: how big a crowd was that in the West Ocean Avenue area this morning?Looked like back to back cars pulled over on both sides for at least a mile.It's almost like a tailgating event without football stadium. Good spirits all around.Hanging around to hear the landing result.The vendor with SpaceX jacket is even passing out free SpaceX stickers.
It's hard to tell with that big ugly tree. Gross!(They appear to be oriented normally to me).
Did anybody notice the cows running away when the rumble started?
Ahah yes and now I also remember those car alarms.It is probably worth nothing that I have found the rumble itself not to be too loud, less that I expected (I saw people with earmuffs that were absolutely unnecessary) but what was special was maybe the low frequency of the noise that is not very common to be experienced in day to day life?