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#1420
by
catdlr
on 06 Oct, 2015 14:06
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October 3, 2015 FAR rocket launches
Published on Oct 6, 2015
Activities at the October 3, 2015 FAR Saturday.
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#1421
by
Lewis007
on 08 Oct, 2015 07:57
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#1422
by
Lewis007
on 08 Oct, 2015 11:54
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Video of the Black Brant IX launch from Wallops on Oct 7 here:
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#1423
by
catdlr
on 10 Oct, 2015 20:15
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another...
Black Brant IX Sounding Rocket Launches Space Technology Demo Experiments
Published on Oct 10, 2015
Before new technologies are used in spacecraft they need to be thoroughly tested. Although ground tests are often acceptable, some technologies need a “test drive” before being integrated into space vehicles.
Suborbital rockets, also called sounding rockets, are valuable tools in qualifying technologies for flight and providing the test drive that is needed.
NASA will flight test a modified Black Brant sounding rocket motor, launch vehicle and spacecraft systems and sub-payload ejection technologies during a suborbital mission between 7 and 9 p.m. EDT, Oct. 7, from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.
The launch and vapor cloud releases, as part of the sub-payload ejection tests, may be seen by residents in the mid-Atlantic region. The launch window runs October 6 through 12.
The flight’s primary objective is to characterize the reformulated Black Brant motor performance in a two-stage configuration.
“The flight also provides an opportunity to test new technologies being developed for space missions and science conducted using sounding rockets,” said Cathy Hesh, technology manager in the Sounding Rocket Program Office at Wallops.
During the flight of the two-stage Black Brant IX sounding rocket, NASA will test a section of the payload fabricated using near net shape (NNS) technology from the agency’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, and three different materials through a Cubesat experiment developed by Orbital ATK of Magna, Utah.
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#1424
by
catdlr
on 10 Oct, 2015 20:28
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webcast Replay...
Webcast Replay - Black Brant IX Space Technology Demo Sounding Rocket Launch
Published on Oct 10, 2015
Before new technologies are used in spacecraft they need to be thoroughly tested. Although ground tests are often acceptable, some technologies need a “test drive” before being integrated into space vehicles.
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#1425
by
catdlr
on 21 Oct, 2015 20:15
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Minuteman III GT 216 ICBM Test LaunchPublished on Oct 21, 2015
An F. E. Warren Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile is test launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base October 21, 2015.
Headquarters Air Force Global Strike Command
Office of Public Affairs
Barksdale AFB, La.
Oct. 21, 2015
Release 15-10-21
F.E. WARREN TESTS MINUTEMAN III MISSILE WITH LAUNCH FROM VANDENBERG AFB
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. – A team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, launched an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with a test reentry vehicle today at 5:45 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.
The ICBM's reentry vehicle, which contained a telemetry package used for operational testing, traveled approximately 4,200 miles to the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Test launches verify the accuracy and reliability of the ICBM weapon system, providing valuable data to ensure a continued safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent.
1st Lt. Daniel Uresti Jr. is a 320th Missile Squadron combat crew commander. He said participating in a test launch is rewarding in that he can see the aspects of missile activities he doesn’t typically get to see.
“To see the components being built up and talk to the maintenance personnel has been extremely rewarding,” said Uresti, a Texas A&M University alumni from San Antonio, Texas. “It helps bridge the gap between operator and maintenance terminology and helps us to understand just how difficult their jobs really are…especially when the weather is bad. These guys still get the mission done.”
AFGSC’s missile bases have crew members standing alert 24-7 year round, overseeing the nation’s ICBM alert forces. Uresti said test launches give the ICBM force an opportunity to show the world that the U.S. has the capability and will to use these weapons should it be necessary.
“We stand ready, every minute of every day, and we know our jobs well,” Uresti said. “We literally hold the keys to the most powerful weapons ever developed and we ensure the safety and reliability of these weapons.”
Test launches are conducted with randomly selected ICBMs from one of three missile bases, located at F.E. Warren, Malmstrom AFB, Montana, and Minot AFB, North Dakota. While at Vandenberg AFB, launch teams work under the direction of Air Force Global Strike Command’s 576th Flight Test Squadron and receive launch and range support from Air Force Space Command’s 30th Space Wing.
Senior Airman Joshua Isom, a 90th Missile Maintenance Squadron electro-mechanical team chief, said it’s an honor to represent the 90th MW in a test launch.
“It feels really great to be recognized and offered the chance to be a part of something not many people in this career field get to experience,” Isom said. “As a missile maintainer, it is pretty awesome to help in the mission of providing the President of the United States with a capable nuclear deterrent.”
As an EMT team chief, Isom, a Henderson, Nevada, native, leads Airmen dispatched to missile fields located throughout Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. His team troubleshoots electrical and mechanical systems, such as the ground support equipment, security system, entry system to the site, as well as load the Missile Guidance System located on the missile.
He said working as a team with other organizations at Vandenberg AFB has helped him to see the bigger picture and value of ICBM operations.
“Everyone here at the 576th Flight Test Squadron has done an outstanding job in making sure we have everything to do our job safely, securely and effectively,” Isom said. “I’ve learned so much on how the 576th test launches the Minuteman ICBM and how it’s tracked during the many stages of flight.”
The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. Strategic Command uses data collected from test launches for continuing force development evaluation. The ICBM test launch program demonstrates the operational credibility of the Minuteman III and ensures the United States’ ability to maintain a strong, credible nuclear deterrent as a key element of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies and partners.
“As operators, we know our jobs inside and out. Our maintenance personnel are extremely knowledgeable and capable of building up a missile quickly and together we can ensure we get ‘bombs on target,”’ Uresti said. “The ICBM mission isn’t glamorous. The elements can be harsh and capsule life can be rigorous but we know the importance of what we do.”
Updated by CATDLR: YouTube Video removed by user.Updated by CATDLR: New video post below.
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#1426
by
edkyle99
on 22 Oct, 2015 00:56
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Fifth Minuteman 3 launch so far this year, all successful. That's the most Minuteman 3 successes in one year since 1990. A few of you may remember 1990, back when the "Cold War" was still a thing, though fading.
- Ed Kyle
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#1427
by
marshal
on 22 Oct, 2015 01:13
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why they removed the GT216 video ?
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#1428
by
catdlr
on 23 Oct, 2015 20:08
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new video posted..
Minuteman III GT 216 Test Launch
Published on Oct 23, 2015
A F. E. Warren Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile is test launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base October 21, 2015.
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#1429
by
Lewis007
on 30 Oct, 2015 20:00
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On October 28, 2015, the Strategic Rocket Forces successfully launched a RS-24 Yars missile from a silo at the Plesetsk test range. The launch took place at 14:30 MSK (11:30 UTC). According to the official statement, the goal of the test was "to confirm reliability of the series of missiles produced at the Votkinsk plant." The missile carried multiple warheads, which are said to have successfully reached their targets at the Kura test range in Kamchatka.
This appears to be the second test of the silo-based RS-24 Yars. The first one took place in December 2013. The road-mobile Yars was last tested in December 2014.
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On 30 October 2015, Russia conducted a test of the command and control system that involved a number of strategic and non-strategic systems. As part of the exercise, K-117 Bryansk submarine of the Project 667BDRM/Delta IV-class launched a R-29RM missile from the Barents Sea. K-223 Podolsk submarine of the Project 667BDR/Delta III class launched a R-29R missile from the Sea of Okhotsk. The Strategic Rocket Forces conducted a launch of a Topol/SS-25 missile from Plesetsk, while the Tu-160 strategic bombers launched cruise missiles toward targets at the Pemboy and Kura test ranges. In addition, Velikiy Ustyug small missile ship launched a Kalibr cruise missile from the Kaspian Sea. The exercise also involved a launch of an Iskander cruise missile from Kapustin Yar.
A similar exercise was conducted in May 2014. The only difference is that in 2014 it included a launch of a missile defense interceptor and there were no cruise missile launches. Iskander did take part, but it launched its ballistic missile. In 2013, the exercise was conducted also on October 30.
For R-29R missile it was the first launch since May 2014. R-29RM missile was launched in November 2014, from Tula submarine. The previous Topol launch took place in August 2015, but it was a test of a new payload from Kapustin Yar. The last "regular" Topol launch from Plesetsk was last conducted in May 2014.
See:
http://russianforces.org/blog/2015/10/test_of_silo-based_rs-24_yars.shtmland:
http://russianforces.org/blog/2015/10/russia_tests_command_and_contr.shtmlVideo of Oct 30 exercise:
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#1430
by
jcm
on 31 Oct, 2015 12:45
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#1431
by
jcm
on 02 Nov, 2015 02:28
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Missile defense test Nov 1 at 0305 UTC: SRALT and eMRBM targets launched from two C-17's near Wake Island.
Two THAAD launched from Wake with successful intercepts (first THAADs from Wake);
one SM-3-1B launched from Aegis ship DDG-53 but failed.
http://www.mda.mil/news/15news0008.html
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#1432
by
Lewis007
on 06 Nov, 2015 08:11
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#1433
by
Steven Pietrobon
on 07 Nov, 2015 00:30
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Here's the video on YouTube. The unsuccessful SM-3 Block IB is not shown. The deployment of the target missiles seems quite complicated, with the nose cones being censored for some reason.
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#1434
by
Torlek
on 08 Nov, 2015 02:03
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The target nosecones are censored because they're classified. Honestly I'm kind of shocked they showed target extraction and ignition at all. But yes, the air launch system is very complicated and was the bane of our existence on this test.
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#1435
by
zubenelgenubi
on 08 Nov, 2015 02:18
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#1436
by
jcm
on 08 Nov, 2015 05:27
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Carl Rigg drew my attention to another missile defense test - in the UK!!!!
Chris - check this out = FIRST EXOATMOSPHERIC ROCKET LAUNCH IN THE UK SINCE 1982
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91638Terrier Orion from South Uist intercepted by Aegis from US Navy ship.
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#1437
by
jcm
on 08 Nov, 2015 05:28
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Cross-posting NSF thread http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=38782.0
Possible surface ship or submarine missile launch off the California coast?
Launch at approximately 1800L PST in Las Vegas (~ 0200Z on 8 Nov 15)
Confirmed as Trident 2 test from USS Kentucky off Point Mugu
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#1438
by
Chris Bergin
on 08 Nov, 2015 12:13
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Carl Rigg drew my attention to another missile defense test - in the UK!!!!
Chris - check this out = FIRST EXOATMOSPHERIC ROCKET LAUNCH IN THE UK SINCE 1982
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91638
Terrier Orion from South Uist intercepted by Aegis from US Navy ship.
Thanks Jonathan. I'll get that tweeted at the very least.
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#1439
by
Justin Space
on 08 Nov, 2015 12:41
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Carl Rigg drew my attention to another missile defense test - in the UK!!!!
Chris - check this out = FIRST EXOATMOSPHERIC ROCKET LAUNCH IN THE UK SINCE 1982
http://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=91638
Terrier Orion from South Uist intercepted by Aegis from US Navy ship.
I'll defer to your excitment, but it's a US missile of a US warship, off the northern edge of our waters in Scotland? We'd probably get more excited about a British missile launched from the States, but we're suckers for things with our flags on them!
