Author Topic: Keeping tabs at VAFB launch sites  (Read 11234 times)

Offline jsmjr

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Keeping tabs at VAFB launch sites
« on: 02/04/2013 03:10 pm »
Does anyone know where the "video feed" from Vandenberg launch sites on the following website is coming from?

http://www.floridatoday.com/content/maps/spacewebcams.shtml

The site seems to be repeating image content hosted at NASA's KSC website.  For example, most if not all of the KSC / CCAFS feeds on Florida Today are also available here:

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/

However, the VAFB images are not.  They have KSC URLs (e.g., http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/countdown/video/vafb1.jpg) but unclear if any HTML page displays them.

And after watching the site for a few days, it also looks like those images are not updated frequently.  Not sure if they are dead links or only updated around the time of a launch.

Thoughts on whether this is ever a reliable way to monitor Vandenberg conditions? Are there better sources?

Related: Does the 30th Space Wing have a launch weather report the way the 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB does?

(Asking because I'm off to the Atlas V-LDCM launch next week.)



Offline jimvela

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Re: Keeping tabs at VAFB launch sites
« Reply #1 on: 02/04/2013 03:52 pm »
Does anyone know where the "video feed" from Vandenberg launch sites on the following website is coming from?

http://www.floridatoday.com/content/maps/spacewebcams.shtml


I've had reasonable success using the ELV countdown portal
http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/index-vafb.html

I've also had good success listening to WX from the LPC AWOS at 133.875 Mhz.

You can also check the WX for KVBG- which is the ex-shuttle landing facility that is the closest runway to most of the SLCs. 

I carry a couple of  ham HTs with me and they are loaded with a bunch of relevant frequencies, but I haven't fired up any of that equipment since I was out there for NPP's launch.

I am also going out to watch LDCM- leaving in a few days.

Broadband connection and weather permiting, I'll try to provide at least some commentary from the launch.  If weather is clear I'll try to be at a spot in (edit:typo) sight of the SLC, if not I'll be up high at an alternate observation spot
« Last Edit: 02/04/2013 04:12 pm by jimvela »

Offline jsmjr

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Re: Keeping tabs at VAFB launch sites
« Reply #2 on: 02/04/2013 04:01 pm »
Many thanks. 

I know NSF sometimes runs "Viewing / Going To" threads for various launches, but I think the forums would benefit from permanent folders dedicated to specific launch sites (rather than just specific rocket manufacturers). 

Personally, I'm as fascinated by the ground infrastructure of a space port as I am about the spacecraft themselves.  I'm pretty sure there are others like me on NSF.  ;)

Offline Jim

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Re: Keeping tabs at VAFB launch sites
« Reply #3 on: 02/04/2013 04:33 pm »
There is no overarching CCAFS or VAFB source for web information, since there are multiple organizations involved and launches are conducted by different organizations (USAF, NASA, commercial,etc).  The videos on CCAFS are there because KSC provides some support for most launches.  The VAFB videos are only for NASA launches and those that NASA may support.

This is the source of all the feeds.

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/index-both.html
« Last Edit: 02/04/2013 04:35 pm by Jim »

Tags: Vandenberg Atlas ldcm  
 

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