NASASpaceFlight.com Forum
International Space Flight (ESA, Russia, China and others) => Suborbital Missions => Topic started by: Chris Bergin on 03/14/2012 07:46 pm
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http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex.html
Should be fun!
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Sure hope I am close enough to watch, though at present I have a bunch of clouds on my southern horizon.
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Here are a couple of Videos to help explain and describe the event:
From SpaceVidsNet of a video from NASA TV:
"In March 2012, NASA Wallops Flight Center is teaming up with Clemson University for the Anomalous Transport Rocket Experiment (ATREX). The experiment consists of launching 5 rockets in about 5 minutes to study the high-altitude jet stream. The rockets will release a tracer that forms a milky, white trail-shaped cloud that will allow scientists to "see" winds in space. The tracers may be visible from South Carolina to the northeastern States for 20 minutes after launch. The ATREX launch window is March 14 to April 3."
"This video containers B-Roll of the construction of the rockets, as well as a CGI animation of the launch. Finally file footage of previous launch is included."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3HP1CETjoE
Video uploaded from VideoFromSpace from Goddard Space Flight Center:
"In March 2012, NASA will launch five sounding rockets in approximately five minutes on the ATREX mission to measure 200-300 mile-per-hour winds at the edge of space."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLTqitidWbI
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Scrubbed until the 16th:
NASA has scrubbed tonight's launch attempt for the ATREX mission because of a payload problem. Next attempt no earlier than night of 3/16
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Tonight's ATREX launch attempt has been cancelled due to internal radio frequency interference on one of the instrumented payloads. The next launch attempt will be no earlier than Friday/Saturday with the go/no-go decision to be made late Thursday afternoon.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex-launch.html
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Tonight's ATREX launch attempt has been cancelled due to internal radio frequency interference on one of the instrumented payloads. The next launch attempt will be no earlier than Friday/Saturday with the go/no-go decision to be made late Thursday afternoon.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex-launch.html
Thanks. That sounds like it will take longer than 24hrs if they have to install an RFI shield.
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This is interesting. I know at least two rockets have launched in the same day, but five in support of the same project? Has anything like this ever happened before?
Also, are they launching Friday morning or Saturday morning?
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If it's just a 24 hour turnaround, It would be Friday morning.
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ATREX mission of 5 rockets from Wallops no earlier than Sat night, March 17. Poor weather expected March 16.
https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/nasa_wallops (https://mobile.twitter.com/#!/nasa_wallops)
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Thread realigned for the 17th
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Launches now rescheduled for Sunday:
"@NASA: The launch of five NASA rockets that will light up the night is now scheduled for Sunday, March 18. http://go.nasa.gov/a4shR0"
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Thanks Dave. I've changed the thread title again.
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Postponed until Monday:
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex.html (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex.html)
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Any prospects of acceptable weather coming up for this?
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The "normal" weather has been great lately. Same tomorrow. If I had to guess, based on the maps they show with the tracers moving ESE offshore, they want a good jet stream (what we normally would have this time of the year.)
For those paying attention to US weather, this is not normal ;) The jet stream is stuck out near the Rockies and instead of heading to the East Coast, it's headed due north into Canada allowing temps to rocket WELL above normal for the eastern US.
Upper level winds over NC are normally 75 to 100+mph -- they are about 5 mph. Same Monday night.
Tuesday night the winds are back up to 30-50mph, but they are headed almost due south so that would probably have things too close to land. Wednesday night the winds are getting stronger but from the northeast, so the rockets would travel directly back over VA/NC. Thursday night 80mph from due north - nyet.
Friday night - 80mph from the NW!!! But that's 120 hours out - so things can certainly change. But if that's what they want, it's days away still...
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Are there any other active pads at Wallops besides this one and the one for Orbital's Antares?
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rdale dont forget that they probably want clear skies as well to observe the tracer from the optical sites, living in the hampton roads area there has been a bit of cloud cover at night that would probably interfere with the optical observation.
Also, isnt the layer that they wish to observe much higher than the Jet stream?
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There's been major ocean fog rolling in along the upper NC coasline since this past Saturday ( I know - I was there this weekend and it has been terrible)...
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NET Wednesday, March 21.
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NET Wednesday, March 21.
Of course, beautiful blue skies in the area as well right now.
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I'm losing track on this. We're talking early hours on the 21st Eastern, right? In other words, I'll need to get an article out to preview this in about 24 hours?
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We're talking early hours on the 21st Eastern, right?
I think so.
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex.html
03.19.12 - NASA has scheduled the launch of five suborbital sounding rockets from the Wallops Facility in Virginia as part of a study of the upper level jet stream from midnight to 5 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, March 21.
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Thanks! NASA just tweeted this is still on, pending weather remaining acceptable.
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We will see, the local weather broadcaster explained that the area is in a temperature cycle encouraging patchy fog, as the warm land will heat up the air above causing it to rise, which then brings in cool air from over the ocean that causes fog, until that air is heated and the process repeats itself.
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From NASA Twittah.
Weather does not look very good for launching five rockets. Launch window is midnight - 3 a.m. ET. Stay tuned http://go.nasa.gov/AysEMl
EDIT:
Also this on the webcast page (which isn't live, was advertised for 8pm)
Countdown begins at 7 p.m. tonight for the ATREX mission The launch window is midnight to 3 a.m. Probability of acceptable weather for launch is less than 10%. Webcast begins at 8 p.m.
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An attempt will be made.
03.20.12 - NASA managers have given a "go" for a countdown leading to the launch of five suborbital sounding rockets just after midnight tonight on a science mission that will briefly create a milky white cloud that may be visible along a large portion of the U.S. east coast.
Posted by RCC on 2012-03-20 at 20:17:40 EDT
Rocket preparation continues as part of tonight's launch attempt. All five rockets are removed from their shelters. The rockets are boxed in foam to help maintain motor and payload temperature.
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http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
Webcast is on now.
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So foggy the cameras lost focus.. ;D
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Weather seems to be improving was a recent update.
Nice work with the webcast shots Aaron!
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They just went through a countdown simulation to T-0. According to NASA twitter weather is still at 10% chance of 'go'.
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According to the NASA webpage there's a chance I might see them in southeastern Pennsylvania. Does anybody know how high they will be above the horizon?
I see from the video feed that it looks extremely foggy there right now.
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Horizontal checks have started
http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
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moving up:
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VIew of range control, very cool!
Edit: PAO saying hi to her mother, in upper right room
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PAd is clear, avoidance lifted. Clear to pressurize to flight levels.
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My video seems to be buffering alot. Where is everyone watching theirs at?
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My video seems to be buffering alot. Where is everyone watching theirs at?
Mine was buffering a lot too (annoying) -- finally closed it. Much easier (& a lot more pleasant) to just refresh this page from time to time. :)
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Always wanted to know who was in charge of range weather for Wallops, apparently it is internal to Wallops versus a dedicated weather team like for KSC/CCAFS.
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fogging up quite a bit.....
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polling, all seem to be go for vertical
All five rocket payloads have been checked with the rockets in the horizontal position. Next up, the rockets will be raised to the launch position and vertical payload checks will be conducted.
Poll to conducted vertical checks is complete.
15 minutes and counting (dont think it is for launch though, too early for the window)
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and clock is stopped, and reset back to 15
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a shot of three rockets, plenty of fog :(
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Counting, did not catch the new T-0 time, starting recorders
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New T0: 081:03:11:00 UTC.
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and holding
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Anyone know why they keep fiddling with the launcher azimuths and elevations?
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Anyone know why they keep fiddling with the launcher azimuths and elevations?
Weather? Winds?
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03:10 pick up time
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8 minutes and counting, new t-0 03:18 UTC
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T minus 4 minutes
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T minus 2 minutes
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We are cloudy here north of Philadelphia, PA USA
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t minus 1 minute
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at 0, but see nothing
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Maybe another simulated countdown, they held one earlier also.
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Why did it get to T-0 and nothing happened? Odd
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Nothing on twitter, but aren't we too early?
NASA has set the ATREX mission for launch from Midnight to 3 a.m. EDT, March 21.
Midnight isn't for another 35 mins?
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Er, maybe "PT" means "Practice Time"? I don't understand these radio calls but it doesn't seem like they're having trouble with...whatever they're doing does it?
What is the Azimuth that they're changing, the angle of the launchers?
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Heres your answer:
NASA Wallops
To answer several questions... the T+ time you're seeing right now (at 11:21 p.m. EDT) is for the vertical checks only.
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No announcement of launch simulation.
Why can't NASA Wallops update us?
Nothing on Facebook
or
Web feed
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Here's an article I've put together for this, giving the actual rockets some coverage (we've never really covered sounding rockets before).
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/03/nasa-atrex-launch-five-rockets-within-five-minutes/
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well I about had a heart attack as couldn't see anything outside, anyone want to take over?
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Ill be here to post some screenies if they go tonight, but I mean we can barely see the rocket due to fog on the ground. I don't see it happening. :(
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I'm hanging around for a while too.
Moving a launcher to a new azimuth.
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Heh, the countdown question from earlier is referenced on the coverage via PAO.
Also noted that this shot of three rockets together may be a first for NASA.
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Going to hold when they get to T-15 mins.
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Weather Brief:
Storms in Virginia, but they should stay south of them. 200 foot ceiling at the launch site. Low visibility.
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I think it's fair to say this isn't the most exciting count in the history of counts.
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What is going on? When will this hold end?
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What is going on? When will this hold end?
They're holding for weather. If it clears, they'll pick up the count.
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The 'three rockets vertical at once' I think was done before - there were nine launches in five minutes from Wallops during the March 1970 solar eclipse.
I gather that tonight the launchers being used are all on Pad 2 (Launch Area 2)?
Or are some of them on Pad 1? I can't make out the discussion they are having right now about what's in effect for Pad 2 vs Pad 1...
THey've been talking about the MRL launcher on screen right now, which is a standard type of sounding rocket launcher. Not sure what the other launchers to be used are.
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Any ideas as to how long it will last?
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I think it's fair to say this isn't the most exciting count in the history of counts.
Even the PAO folk have gave up reading out twitter Q's.. Or talking. ;D
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Any ideas as to how long it will last?
As I wrote earlier: They'll resume the countdown if the weather clears. There's no set duration.
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Another call in the blind there.
Clearly a problem. Talking about lowering one rocket to 10 degrees, cut a hole in a box and see what's wrong.
"I don't think this is going to be easy"
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Any ideas as to how long it will last?
As I wrote earlier: They'll resume the countdown if the weather clears. There's no set duration.
Chris mentioned up in this thread:
NASA has set the ATREX mission for launch from Midnight to 3 a.m. EDT, March 21.
and if the weather cooperates.
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I just looked outside and it's overcast now, so I guess I'll be going to bed soon.
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Ok, so we have people going off the loop to talk on the phone (a bit like an anomaly net, I guess). So the problem would have been noted there.
When they came back on the loop, we heard the above about a problem.
Doesn't sound good, some managers going off on to the phones now.
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I just looked outside and it's overcast now, so I guess I'll be going to bed soon.
Thanks for keeping us up to date on your sleep plans. I'll add it to the article ;D
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NASA Wallops:
The window is officially open..... but the weather is still a problem. The window remains open until 3 a.m.
But on the loop they confirmed managers are talking on the landlines about this unknown issue.
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@NASA_Wallops is trying to get the details of the problem that was mentioned on the webcast.
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PAO's turned up on the loop. Says it's foggy but the window's open until 3am. No reference to the noted problem which we've all heard on the loop.
At least it's referenced on the twitter feed it seems. Would prefer PAO to be commentating instead of faffing around on bookface.
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With sky cover at > 60%
Humidity to remain >95%
No increase in winds
No dry air anyplace close
Why don't they scrub this show?
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Fog:
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Warming up the ACS. Having another conversation on the landline.
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Wallops:
As some heard on the webcast, there was a discrepancy between the onboard GPS and the ground equipment showing position during vertical test
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Loop noting they don't know if they will launch tonight based on the above discrepancy.
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"What are the chances we're going to launch tonight"
Bloody good question!
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Controllers told they can take a break for half an hour.
Clock pushed back to T-30 minutes.
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Scrub.
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SCRUB!
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"You can take your teams home, we're going to call it a night".
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Safing the vehicles. Assuming a 24 hour recycle. No word on that yet.
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Wallops:
We're officially scrubbed for today. We'll try again tomorrow (3/22) with a window of midnight- 3 a.m. Countdown starts tonight at 7 p.m
Updated the article.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/03/nasa-atrex-launch-five-rockets-within-five-minutes/
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I didn't think any ops team would be worse than the Ames Science Ops team during the LCROSS impact.
I was wrong. NASA really needs some cross-pollination between real ops and launch teams and these newbs if all that is on the manifest is unmanned stuff for the foreseeable future.
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A question was posed to @NASA_Wallops and I didn't see an answer about whether the ISS crew might witness the ATREX test. I did a quick run on Heavens-Above.com and noted a pass late in the window, as attached. Anyone have any thoughts on what might have been seen if they happened to have launched just at the right time?
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How's the weather looking guys?
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Same as last night, with a slight chance of a shower.
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Same as last night, with a slight chance of a shower.
Ugg. Looks like another night of fogspaceflight.com coverage then ;)
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Just drove home from work in Virginia beach, massive downpour happened so keep that in mind.
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It's not looking good, but it wasn't looking good the first 5 nights of the window and I know that it ended up they could have launched on at least 1 of them. I've also heard that per the PI being a bit less than pleased by this that they will be counting every night of the window from here on out unless they are sure it is going to be raining.
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What happens when the window expires Apr. 3 (Correct if wrong)? Will it be cancelled or will a new window open at a later time?
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Intriguing
Wallops:
Webcast will be live soon-- we're working on something new tonight to make your viewing experience even better. Thank you for your patience.
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Intriguing
Wallops:
Webcast will be live soon-- we're working on something new tonight to make your viewing experience even better. Thank you for your patience.
3D fog ;)
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Tis live now.
http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
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Weather does not look good:
Weather report for tonight..The NJ site is currently with low clouds and is expected to remain through the night. Wallops is scattered clouds with low clouds and fog later in the launch window. NC site has mid to high scattered clouds.
http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
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starting terminal count for horizontal tests (not liftoff time!)
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stopping recorders, sounds like the horizontal checks are complete
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Their 'new' thing is UStream I believe: http://t.co/FgXKtRw0
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Their 'new' thing is UStream I believe: http://t.co/FgXKtRw0
confirmed via PAO
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Pad 2 clear to go vertical, still holding for 1
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back to range control
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a lot of the questions seem to be repeats from last night
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per PAO, ISS maybe able to see sounding rocket launches (have seen them in the past)
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GPS issues from last night resolved, had issues with launch rail.
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Pads 1 and 2 now clear, now vertical
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Q&A signing off for now, going into vertical checks
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going to scrub as weather not favorable tonight, but going to continue vertical count practice, aircraft and boats going home.
SCRUB: for emphasis
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SCRUB!!!
Interesting that they'd continue with a practice count. It scared me when they did it yesterday. I thought I'd missed it.
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Oh well. Let's hope tomorrow's doesn't overlap too much with ATV-3.
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all three camera sites currently have hourly forecasts of "clear" (weather.com) or "mostly clear" (accuweather.com) for the entire launch window tonight, which is about as optimal as we're likely to get before the rain moves in this weekend.
but if i've learned anything from this site, it's to not take weather web sites at face value.
what sayeth rdale?
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Does look better than before... I can see fog coming but tonight it may wait until closer towards daybreak tomorrow.
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excellent, thanks! (i live about four hours away from wallops, and i packed the cameras and tripods just in case the drive looked worthwhile tonight.)
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Live Video up on USTREAM.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-wallops
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Live Video up on USTREAM.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-wallops
Also available at this link.
http://mfile.akamai.com/18569/live/reflector:59445.asx?bkup=32644
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four vertical, one horizontal
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starting recorders, last one going vertical
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Bypassing horizontal payload checks tonight. 4 of the vehicles have been raised to the launch position. Preparing the fifth vehicle to be raised. Weather brief will be coming up soon.
http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
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now that on right thread, weather briefing under way, looking better tonight.
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visibility unrestricted tonight, but possibility of low clouds developing, for near 3 am local.
N Carolina patchy high level clouds, unrestricted visibility. N cloud problem tonight
Jersey place to watch tonight, by 2 am fog increasing, visibility down to 3 mile visibility.
Need to go early as possible for weather.
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increasingly unstable through the weekend, possibility of t-storms
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If they dont launch tonight will need to cover up rockets
"we are going to launch tonight" heard over radio
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DIscussing test rocket launches, wind too high for them right now
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to sum up weather:
Weather is looking more favorable tonight. Possible good conditions at all 3 viewing areas at the beginning of the launch window. Concern with NJ and Wallops later in the window.
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Last LV now in place, starting vertical payload tests
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Polling go for vertical checks. setting clock for that test
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vertical checks countdown started
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holding clock at -8 minutes
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going to pick up clock
t minus 8 minutes
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cool tracking shot
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starting vertical check terminal count
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Vertical test t-0
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Well, the pictures certainly look sharper tonight than the last couple of nights.
According to the NASA website, I'm inside the largest circle (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/missions/atrex.html), and have a chance of seeing part of the boost phase. But it doesn't say anything about how high they will be above the horizon. Does anybody know? If they're too low, they will be obscured by trees and buildings.
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Just to make sure I'm clear, the launch windows are:
ATREX: 12:00am - 3:00 am EDT
ATV-3: 12:34am EDT
Is that correct?
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continuing vertical test, reorienting launches
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Ron - just logged in; where are we in the count?
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But it doesn't say anything about how high they will be above the horizon. Does anybody know? If they're too low, they will be obscured by trees and buildings.
if you go back a couple of pages on the nasa wallops twitter page, they posted a google earth kmz file a few days ago with fantastic scrollable parabolas of each rocket. (you'll need google earth, of course.)
from there you should be able to see what the arcs will look like from any street address in the viewing area.
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heard on loop "You ready to launch this thing?"
:)
Starting box test
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sound like they are taking weather balloon readings
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box test complete, stopping recorders vertical checks complete
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asking about winds for test rockets, wind a bit too high, not too much trend and not getting better, only second balloon
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The call seems to be to load the test rockets anyway on hopes the winds die down.
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asking whether they should load test rockets or forego
RC would like to have it but would go without if not needed, think they should load rockets and see. TD agrees
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Photo given go to align cameras for launch, test rockets starting about starting at 80 elevation versus 75
TD wants it at 80
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I bet these are the test rockets
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But it doesn't say anything about how high they will be above the horizon. Does anybody know? If they're too low, they will be obscured by trees and buildings.
if you go back a couple of pages on the nasa wallops twitter page, they posted a google earth kmz file a few days ago with fantastic scrollable parabolas of each rocket. (you'll need google earth, of course.)
from there you should be able to see what the arcs will look like from any street address in the viewing area.
I did download that, but I can't figure out how to make them look the way they would from my viewing area, and measure how high they would be above my horizon.
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yes, setting up test rockets, very fancy transporter
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yes, setting up test rockets, very fancy transporter
Whatever works :)
(reminds me of a launch at LDRS)
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Ron - just logged in; where are we in the count?
Finished box test and vertical checks, PT is -2:08 but havent heard a definitive T-0
PS sorry about late answer, covering this and ATV 3
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two hours to window opening
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test rockets are ready
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winds supposed to die down as evening progresses, everyone including me crossing fingers
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PAO talking about Antonioe's baby, the Antares 1st stage and its arrival last summer and future launch.
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In case someone wanted to know what the rocket looks like behind the foam box
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In case someone wanted to know what the rocket looks like behind the foam box
Two of them are that exact vehicle, though the exact payload is a bit different. I'll try and get some more pictures posted once I get my hands on them.
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JSC says that ISS should see launch if in the right position!
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on the current live view, you can see the fins sticking out at the bottom and 1/3 up.
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red due to antenna, ASRD?
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Launch Sequence:
http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/627738main_atrex-launch-sequence.pdf
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loop is kind of quiet right now, guess they are on a different channel
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Good news from ASRE radar, back up and operational!
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One hour to window opening
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Something to watch while we wait:
Sounding Rockets at Wallops:
http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code810/videos/Sounding_Rockets.wmv
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possibility of (ship?) risk, but currently watching
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Looks like the T minus time is at the opening of the window
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A note of relevance from one of the industry guys.....this mission really could do without many more scrubs as it's an apparent impact on the Wallops work for Orbital's Antares launch pad, which is the main risk area of delay.
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L minus 45 minutes
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Range reporting boat in secure area, waiting for it to clear.
(who boats off the eastern shore near midnight?!?!)
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Of course what will happen is the weather will be green but range red due to this bloody boat. :D
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10 feet per second out of winds for test rockets, want to get one off tonight, might switch to 75 elevation.
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weather in new jersey is deteriorating from what I can hear, hard to understand this gentleman.
Per PAO, starting to see clouds, wallops and outer banks clear right now but expect fog later.
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30 minutes to window opening
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Going to hold at T minus 15 minutes
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within limits for ballistic variability from balloon, all vehicles within limit for launch. Just need to fix 2 things and go!
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T-30 minutes and counting to the opening of the launch window. Latest report from the principal investigator is that we have clear skies at Wallops however they are seeing clouds at the NJ and NC sites. Hopeful we can get a break in the clouds.
http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/webcast/
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Standing by for weather brief
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If I'm doing my math right, ISS will be passing roughly over the launch site about 2 1/2 hours from now.
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mostly clear skies, some cloudiness near NJ and NC, high clouds moving in. moving at good clip and could get clear spot in hour or so. cell popping up near cambridge but anticipate it will die out, hour out from Wallops. Deck of clouds at 9k visibility 9 miles for wallops. NC scattered deck, NJ scattered deck up high.
as progress, clouds start to work inland and fog coming up for NJ and Wallops.
Edit: quick transcription, will post PAO version when available.
Holding at T-15 minutes
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If I'm doing my math right, ISS will be passing roughly over the launch site about 2 1/2 hours from now.
I got roughly the same thing. Been doing pre-calc all day though, so my brain is fried. ;)
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chance of test rocket launch at top of hour, still a little out at 75 degrees though
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Weather report paints a now or never picture for tonight, cloud deck over Jersey and inland fog expected especially after 3am.
Let's hope!
TD decides 75* elevation better for winds than 80*, but still out of range for winds regarding the test rockets.
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Looks like we'll be seeing Ariane launch first at this rate.
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changing launch settings again.
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Anyone hear the faint high-pitched whistle sound on the feed? It's been there all night and is driving me nuts! ???
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The window has opened for three hours
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Working two ships right now
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Looks like we'll be seeing Ariane launch first at this rate.
Or SLS, for that matter. ;D
Send some gunships out to scare of the boats!
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Also watching two launch feeds: This launch and Ariane launch on NTV
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Looks like we'll be seeing Ariane launch first at this rate.
Or SLS, for that matter. ;D
Or Dragon.
/OK, I'll shut up now. ;D
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science update = go watch Ariane/ATV
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NEw boat in the range
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I wonder how much money those dang boats just cost us. The boats are streaming in more now, with new boats coming from the north. The boats won't be clear of the Hazard Area for about 1.5 hours.
With the poor science updates, those boats and the weather, this night is pretty much over.
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can someone clarify the difference between the science outlook and the weather? the guy was pretty much completely unintelligible over the intercom here @ wallops visitor center.
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can someone clarify the difference between the science outlook and the weather? the guy was pretty much completely unintelligible over the intercom here @ wallops visitor center.
Was mostly unintelligible online, too. In this case, weather and science requirements are closely aligned. The weather requirements are mostly related to the flight of the rocket, while the science-weather constraints are related to the ability to gather the required scientific data, and how the weather hampers that.
For ATREX, a good block of the eastern seaboard- especially at Wallops and at the New Jersey camera site must be clear of visibilty-reducing weather (smog/haze/clouds/fog) in order to properly observe the chemical tracers.
Jim
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Send some gunships out to scare of the boats!
Heh. We went over this with a boat in the range during shuttle. This would get the boat out of there! ;D
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So, assuming they will launch, do the boxes around the rockets separate at some point before launch, or do they launch right out of the boxes?
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I am kind of enjoying the commentary. I've learned that William Shatner turned 81 today and that there is some sort of space version of Angry Birds that has been released.
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Wernher von Braun's 100th birthday! Now that's noteworthy.
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So, assuming they will launch, do the boxes around the rockets separate at some point before launch, or do they launch right out of the boxes?
The rocket fins are sticking out of the box and on launch they simply rip through the foam box.
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heh, i like these guys chatting. it's a lot less stilted than the Ariane commentators.
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heh, i like these guys chatting. it's a lot less stilted than the Ariane commentators.
I agree. It sounds a bit like amateur hour (I guess it's NASA's second string), but I like it better than the Ariane commentary.
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So, assuming they will launch, do the boxes around the rockets separate at some point before launch, or do they launch right out of the boxes?
The rocket fins are sticking out of the box and on launch they simply rip through the foam box.
Mapperuo, watch the first 15 secs on this video to answer your question.
Sounding Rockets at Wallops:
http://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code810/videos/Sounding_Rockets.wmv
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Doesnt look good:
It looks likewe will have boat interference for at least the next hour.
I know that bad weather was expected by 2 am local, so does not look like it is happening.
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SCRUB
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Launchers are being lowered.
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Scrub for tonight.
Just as well, as I can't stay up much longer since I have to work in the morning.
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Flights and Boats are released for travel in the area.
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Weather and Boats contributed to SCRUB for tonight.
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Team is discussing next launch attempt.
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No launch attempt for Friday.
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Teams will meet after weather brief tomorrow for Next Launch attempt.
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Keep tune to NASA web site for further information. Good Night.
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catdlr:
Actually, that was my question, but thanks for the video. I guess whether they launch with or without the box depends on the temperature.
I took a tour of Wallops Island way back in the 60s when I was about 8-9 years old. Unfortunately I didn't see any rockets there at the time.
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Oh well. Looks like this is going to be a nightly event!
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catdlr:
Actually, that was my question, but thanks for the video. I guess whether they launch with or without the box depends on the temperature.
I took a tour of Wallops Island way back in the 60s when I was about 8-9 years old. Unfortunately I didn't see any rockets there at the time.
rickl ,
I live on the West Coast, so I only get to see the launches from VAFB. Catch you later.
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20% of lightening Friday increasing to 40% on Saturday. Decision is to cover the vehicles.
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Skipping an attempt tomorrow.
We will not be making a launch attempt Friday night into Saturday morning. We will make a decision Friday for Saturday night into Sunday
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Send some gunships out to scare of the boats!
Heh. We went over this with a boat in the range during shuttle. This would get the boat out of there! ;D
I suspect many of the Wallops "boats" are large cargo ships transiting to some of the major northeast ports. People will be upset if the cheap Guchi Knockoff shipments are at the bottom of the Atlantic.
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Won't be an attempt until Monday morning.
Wallops:
Due to expected poor weather, the next launch attempt for the ATREX mission will be no earlier than Monday, March 26 from midnight- 3am.
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Oh well. Looks like this is going to be a nightly event!
When it comes to the sounding rocket business, I believe that such long, start-stop launch campaigns are typical even for single-launch missions. They queue up the rockets, and wait - for hours, days, weeks, even months sometimes for the just-right conditions to appear.
- Ed Kyle
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@NASAWallops:
ATREX mission new date is midnight-5 a.m., Tue., 3/27. Count starts Monday evening. More after Sunday night weather brief.
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@NASA Wallops:
"It's a go for the ATREX launch between 2 & 5 am 3/27. Webcast and Ustream begin at 10 pm 3/26. Clear skies expected. Wind may be a issue."
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Giving this a bump.
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Bump with viewing url: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-wallops
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A status summary: Looking good for the launches tonight. Launch window runs from 2am EDT through 5 am EDT.
Currently running a couple of MPH above the 20 MPH limit for removing the shelters from the rockets, but the forecast is for the ground winds which are the primary concern for tonight to die down as the night progresses. This is the reason for the later launch window which previously ran from midnight EDT through 3am EDT.
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Keep an eye on it guys please. This window isn't doable for me (I'll try four hours sleep, but that usually isn't clever) :D
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Still unable to remove the rocket covers due to winds.
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Winds still too high to remove the launch shelters, they think they'll find a spot towards the end of the launch window.
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Wind update said too windy to launch the rockets and test rockets at the current conditions.
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Shelters are being removed.
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They are leaving the other shelters in place for now.
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And now all shelters are being removed.
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HA! The Alarm woke me up, so in the words of Joe Swanson - let's do this!
Anyone got a VLC link?
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All 5 shelters removed.
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HA! The Alarm woke me up, so in the words of Joe Swanson - let's do this!
Anyone got a VLC link?
http://mfile.akamai.com/18569/live/reflector:59445.asx?bkup=32644
Morning ;)
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Morning mate, thanks! Now that's much less foggy!
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"Mother and daughter links internal" - that's a new one!
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@NASA_Wallops
T-15 minutes and holding-- waiting for acceptable wind limits.
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Are we going to see this tonight
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live coverage on
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-wallops
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Are we going to see this tonight
If the weather is good and the vehicles are fine, yes. Otherwise, no.
No clues on the loop. No PAO commentating. So we're a bit in the blind.
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Internal, external, internal, external.
I miss shuttle ;D
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Still at T-15 mins, so winds is the reason for the hold remaining in place.
Talk of "not having a lock" on something (GPS?)
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Update from PM:
Winds for two rockets unacceptable. Now down to just one ("4907" is the one not acceptable).
Sounds like they could be getting close.
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Going to test launch. Looks like this one was slightly raised.
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Window opened, So just under 3 hours to launch these things. ;D
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Going to shortly send out some guys to load some test rockets.
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PM Saying they may be able to do this today! Claims the winds are "coming in for them".
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Going to launch angle.
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Test rocket area.
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Here comes the blokes for the test rockets! ;D
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This could be fun!
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I think he just loaded that rockets via a can! ;D
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Test rockets elevated!
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Ready with the test rockets.
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Clear.
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The test rocket transporter has departed the pad.
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Go to elevate the other launchers.
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Launchers coming up.
"Question on bookface, what is a good way to keep informed on NASA missions" *COUGH* NSF! Awww, she said NASA TV! Boooo ;)
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All these launchers being raised at the same time has a very 'Thunderbirds' feel about it!
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There's going to be a vertical payload test countdown, not to be confused with the real count, then test rockets, then the five launches.
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okay, we've sat through the mandatory timeshare sales pitch on internships and educational opportunities at wallops island -- can we go on space mountain now? ::)
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This one appears to be in launch position.
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As are these too.
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Polling for vertical payload check.
Polling is a go.
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Count started (remember, this is a test, not a launch).
T-15 mins.
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T-12 minutes (on the test).
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Terminal count, ready to launch (but not really).
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LAUNCH!! ;)
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Getting ready for test rockets.
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Wow what a depressing update..
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Oops. Lots of no gos. Test Rocket problem. Launch setting problem. Something else too, and the range will go red in 30 mins.
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Launch setting issue is something to do with radar.
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Might of been a bad balloon on another setting.
PM saying they'll bypass the test rockets and just go for it! Blimey.
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Ship in the range!
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Right, so it sounds like there's a ship in the area, but only threatening the range in 20 minutes, so that's what they were talking about.
Will need to pick up the count real soon if that's going to materialize into the problem for today.
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Turn off all airport lights.
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PM sounding concerned they aren't going to make the window.
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Now pushing. Test rockets were now ok, but they are still bypassing.
Polling for terminal count. Really pushing.
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A couple of no gos :(
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Going to pick up the count anyway and go down to T-8 mins.
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T-15 minutes and COUNTING!
T-0: 08:04 ZULU
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T-10 minutes.
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T-8 minutes and holding.
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Some issues with Collision Avoidance Analysis (COLA), but can launch on an even minute to avoid.
Asking about how long they have until the boat is a problem.
Out on launcher settings for three of the rockets.
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Red for 40 minutes due to ships. Going back to T-15 minutes and holding.
Oh dear.
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Asking if they may as well do test rockets.
Call comes back saying they were only back on and ready 15 mins ago.
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Red for 40 minutes due to ships. Going back to T-15 minutes and holding.
Oh dear.
Not looking good is it. Hour left in the window.
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Not looking good at all.
Power all systems down.
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Ironic I should just "wake up" right in the middle of the window ::) It's not looking fantastic. Assuming 40m in red, that gives us 20 minutes, minus the t-15m AND launching for five minutes....
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Ironic I should just "wake up" right in the middle of the window ::) It's not looking fantastic. Assuming 40m in red, that gives us 20 minutes, minus the t-15m AND launching for five minutes....
Yep! That's how I see it.
Guy on the loop saying that for this type of launch they don't have the authority to ask the coastgaurd to tell the boat to move!
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Range: "It's looking ugly out there."
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Ironic I should just "wake up" right in the middle of the window ::) It's not looking fantastic. Assuming 40m in red, that gives us 20 minutes, minus the t-15m AND launching for five minutes....
Yep! That's how I see it.
Guy on the loop saying that for this type of launch they don't have the authority to ask the coastgaurd to tell the boat to move!
I thought he said they simply don't make a request to the coast guard to enforce the area. I presumed that meant that they could, but for some reason they choose not to.
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Ironic I should just "wake up" right in the middle of the window ::) It's not looking fantastic. Assuming 40m in red, that gives us 20 minutes, minus the t-15m AND launching for five minutes....
Yep! That's how I see it.
Guy on the loop saying that for this type of launch they don't have the authority to ask the coastgaurd to tell the boat to move!
I thought he said they simply don't make a request to the coast guard to enforce the area. I presumed that meant that they could, but for some reason they choose not to.
No, they noted they don't have the authority to do so anyway.
So no gunships! ;)
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Starting the count in six minutes. Take it down to T-8 mins.
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T-15 mins and counting!
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T-10 mins.
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Still have red range and one vehicle with settings out of limits.
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T-8 mins holding.
Have to pick up in 13 mins or scrub.
Polling for terminal count.
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Polling no go due to red range.
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Ten mins to pick up the count or scrub.
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Eight minutes to go.
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Looks like the base of Orbital's Antares water tower to the right...
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Going to start the count at that limit of 8:50 ZULU in hope of getting a green range.
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Lots of confusion on the loop. Controllers asking for a hold inside the T-8 for launcher settings. PM says they can't, they'd run out of time.
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RANGE GREEN!
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Whoa, launcher settings by force "haven't had time to write them down".
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Fantastic! Time to get this campaign over with.
And what does "By force" mean?
T-8:00 and counting!
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Picking up the count.
T-8 mins and counting. No time for any holds.
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T-5 minutes and counting!
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RSO trying to tweak one last setting!
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T-4 mins and changing a setting. Tight!
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You would think these rockets would be "mad" having their settings tweaked so much....
(I hate Ustream's ads)
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Setting is in at T-3 mins.
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T-120 seconds.
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T-60 seconds. Webcast getting shaky! ;D
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ROCKET 1 AWAY!!!
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Webcast is a joke right now, but still workable.
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ROCKET 2 AWAY!!
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ROCKET 3 AWAY!
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ROCKET 4 AWAY!
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Rocket 5 off. Looks like they can now devote some time to tracking the rockets.
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ROCKET 5 AWAY!!
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Was disappointed with the webcast... UNTIL NOW! :D
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Wow!
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Reports it can be seen from Baltimore and Virginia
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Faint now.
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This is nice.
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The 2-5 AM time frame was no good for me, so I called it a night and went to bed around midnight. I woke up at 5 AM and looked out the window, and could see one skinny, twisty trail. A few minutes later I could see three of them. They are changing shape and appearance rapidly and are surprisingly bright.
I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the launches, though.
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Heh. Asking if they want to get rid of the test rockets. "Nooooo way!" ;D
Right, need to go off to work. Thanks to Aaron for the help earlier.
Post launch article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/03/nasa-atrex-launch-five-rockets-within-five-minutes/
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Five tracers seen in Blue Bell, PA three ascending two decending
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I can still see two of them, much fainter now. They look sort of like headless comets. But about 10 minutes ago two of them were very bright, round, and diffuse.
Since I didn't know when the launches were going to happen, I didn't set my alarm. I just happened to wake up and look out the window in time to see the trails, but too late to get dressed, go outside, and watch for the launches. Better than nothing, though.
Now I'm wide awake but still have over three hours before work. :(
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Played back a recording to try get some snaps, Sadly the cameras went to pure white on ignition.. So they are all kind of crap.
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Was waiting for them in the parking lot at work, didn't see them. Was driving and saw a few tracers - almost wrecked trying to see them, hehe. Got home, and very very faintly saw them from my back porch. Sadly, couldn't get photos at the time. Cool to see another NASA mission from my yard!
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSXf2C8RKXU
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That was fun! I got to watch two Standard Missile Extended Range launches at sea a few decades ago (basically the same booster as these, IIRC). The first was from a ship 2 miles away, and a couple of minutes later the second was launched from the cruiser I was deployed on. I was standing about 150' away. WHOOOSH!
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That was fun! I got to watch two Standard Missile Extended Range launches at sea a few decades ago (basically the same booster as these, IIRC). The first was from a ship 2 miles away, and a couple of minutes later the second was launched from the cruiser I was deployed on. I was standing about 150' away. WHOOOSH!
The first stage of all of these vehicles was either a Mk12 or Mk70 Terrier which I do believe was used on some of the first standard missiles.
I missed the launches this morning (bad timing) but I managed to wake up in time to catch the TMA trails. I live about 15 miles from the launch sight and they were really neat to see.
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If you check out wallop's facebook page people have already started posting some pretty great pics of the launch and TMA trails as seen from all over the east coast.
http://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF
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In a perfect world, we would have done this with the shuttle.
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A status summary: Looking good for the launches tonight. Launch window runs from 2am EDT through 5 am EDT.
Currently running a couple of MPH above the 20 MPH limit for removing the shelters from the rockets, but the forecast is for the ground winds which are the primary concern for tonight to die down as the night progresses. This is the reason for the later launch window which previously ran from midnight EDT through 3am EDT.
22 MPH winds at Wallops delayed the launches. I hope the Antares can launch in 30 MPH winds.
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In a perfect world, we would have done this with the shuttle.
Absolutely impossible. Perfect and/or fake world.
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Heh. Asking if they want to get rid of the test rockets. "Nooooo way!" ;D
Right, need to go off to work. Thanks to Aaron for the help earlier.
Post launch article:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/03/nasa-atrex-launch-five-rockets-within-five-minutes/
Thanks for getting up so early to cover that Chris. That must have been painful! Hehe.
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After the lack-of-sleep fun this morning, I'm kinda sad we don't have another go tonight. However, I do think we should cover sounding rockets a lot more, so if anyone knows when the next one is, we'll cover it.
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Does anyone know what order they went in?
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Re-reading my comments from early this morning, I can see that they sounded blasé, like I was disappointed that I didn't see the actual rockets. That's true to an extent, but then again I made the choice to go to bed last night and not stay up to watch for them. I was also a bit groggy, having only woken up minutes before.
I was excited all day at having seen the trails, and can't get over the fact that by sheer dumb luck I happened to wake up and look out the window at precisely the right moment to see the whole show. If I had woken up five minutes earlier, I would probably have just gone to the bathroom and back to bed, assuming that it had already happened or else been scrubbed again.
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After the lack-of-sleep fun this morning, I'm kinda sad we don't have another go tonight. However, I do think we should cover sounding rockets a lot more, so if anyone knows when the next one is, we'll cover it.
At the end of the webcast they said the next launch is end of May/Start of June.
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Does anyone know what order they went in?
From the NASA Wallops twitter feed:
Terrier Oriole
(First) Terrier Improved Malemute
(First) Terrier Improved Orion
(Second) Terrier Improved Malemute
(Second) Terrier Improved Orion
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In a perfect world, we would have done this with the shuttle.
Absolutely impossible. Perfect and/or fake world.
Of course... my fantasy world then.
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After the lack-of-sleep fun this morning, I'm kinda sad we don't have another go tonight. However, I do think we should cover sounding rockets a lot more, so if anyone knows when the next one is, we'll cover it.
NET June 2 for this event in your locale, Chris--way more than just 5 at a time:
http://www.festivalofrocketry.org/ (http://www.festivalofrocketry.org/) ;D
I dare you to cover it!
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After the lack-of-sleep fun this morning, I'm kinda sad we don't have another go tonight. However, I do think we should cover sounding rockets a lot more, so if anyone knows when the next one is, we'll cover it.
We could do with a sub orbital section for stuff like this and commercial sub orbital like virgin, mastern etc
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But they exist already: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=11281.0
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Cool. Will keep an eye out for it.
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But they exist already: http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=11281.0
I was more thinking of its own section.