I have a related physics question. Do solid fuel rockets leave a more pronounced contrail than liquid fuel? If it was a rocket can you tell just by the contrail whether it was one or the other?
Tin foil hat question, but what is the burn time of standard missile? I thought the burn time of most air to ground and air to air missiles was well under 15 seconds. Do we see burnout?
That does not rule out any DOD
Quote from: kevin-rf on 11/09/2010 06:00 pmThat does not rule out any DOD DOD said it wasn't any of theirs...
Update1: Jonathan McDowell who puts together Jonathan's Space Report, a newsletter on space launches, speculates:"Launches of NASA Black Brant IX rockets from San Nicolas Island in California carrying MARTI [Missile Alternative Range Target Instrumentation] targets for the Airborne Laser testbed have been removed from public NASA schedules, but a launch seen by an LA helicopter news crew on Nov 9 (Nov 8 Pacific time) may be related to this program. The previous such launch, which was publicly acknowledged, was on Oct 21."
Read what the FAA said: 'had not approved any commercial space launches in that area' at that time”commercial space launches. That does not rule out any DOD or research non (or even orbital) missiles.Saw a interesting suggestion on it being a Talos target missile, based on the size of the plume.
Quote from: Blackstar on 11/09/2010 05:48 pmI'm guessing it is a US Navy surface to air missile launch, or a target missile. Something small.Does any one else remember the Standard SAM variant used to shoot down that disabled satellite over the Pacific a couple of years ago? The Standard is a multi-stage solid. Could this have been a test shot of the same variant? It would explain the rather implausible expressions of ignorance as ABM/ASAT systems are diplomatically awkward and the President is attempting to build bridges at the moment.
I'm guessing it is a US Navy surface to air missile launch, or a target missile. Something small.
ieee has an interesting quote ( http://spectrum.ieee.org/riskfactor/aerospace/military/whose-missile-was-launched-35-miles-west-of-los-angeles ):QuoteUpdate1: Jonathan McDowell who puts together Jonathan's Space Report, a newsletter on space launches, speculates:"Launches of NASA Black Brant IX rockets from San Nicolas Island in California carrying MARTI [Missile Alternative Range Target Instrumentation] targets for the Airborne Laser testbed have been removed from public NASA schedules, but a launch seen by an LA helicopter news crew on Nov 9 (Nov 8 Pacific time) may be related to this program. The previous such launch, which was publicly acknowledged, was on Oct 21."