Author Topic: LIVE: Delta II - COSMO 3 - Oct 24, 08 (Read 70603 times)

DaveJes1979 · « **on:** 09/29/2008 10:03 pm »

Does anyone have actual launch window information on the COSMO 3 launch from Vandenberg? My wife and I are going to try to come out and see it if it is at an opportune time.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Nick L. · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/29/2008 10:47 pm »

The Cosmo-Skymed launches have instantaneous windows due to the payload's orbital requirements and the limitations of the Delta II guidance system. Therefore there is no traditional "window", the launch must happen at 10:28 PM EDT or it has to wait until the next day.

DaveJes1979 · « **Reply #2 on:** 09/29/2008 11:52 pm »

Thanks, I didn't even know it was going to be at 10:28 PM EDT. I hadn't seen that info posted anywhere.

That makes it 7:28 PM local time (PDT). No moon, just before astronomical twilight (7:32). Depending on weather conditions, sounds like it may be a good show to come out for.

Those 4 GEM motors burning powdered aluminum also help.

DaveJes1979 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10/06/2008 01:57 am »

Brian Webb's launch alert is now listing October 24th (19:28 Pacific time) as the launch date for COSMO 3. Can anyone confirm this one day schedule bump?

faustod · « **Reply #4 on:** 10/06/2008 07:28 am »

Quote from: DaveJes1979 on 10/06/2008 01:57 am

Brian Webb's launch alert is now listing October 24th (19:28 Pacific time) as the launch date for COSMO 3. Can anyone confirm this one day schedule bump?

Also Spaceflight Now list the launch for October 25 at 02:28 GMT, il line with:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=8184.0
The launch date slippep from 23 October to 24 October since end September.

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #5 on:** 10/13/2008 06:15 pm »

ULA PAO Mike:
"Good morning, United Launch Alliance, on behalf of Boeing Launch Services, is happy to provide the COSMO-3 mission booklet detailing the mission timeline for the launch of this satellite aboard a ULA Delta II rocket from Space Launch Complex-2 at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. ULA will perform the launch on behalf of BLS as this is a commercial mission. The launch is set for Oct. 24, 7:28 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time with an one second window. If the launch scrubs, all the times remain the same for a second attempt on Oct. 25. Broadcast coordinates and www address for viewing the launch will be forwarded in the upcoming days."

DaveJes1979 · « **Reply #6 on:** 10/20/2008 10:07 pm »

Anyone get wind of weather forecasts for Friday?

It turns out I'm going to have a crew of 6 coming out for the COSMO 3 launch, which will include a few photography buffs. I'm praying for some nice sunset shots of the rocket on the pad, followed by a dazzling twilight launch. I know that Vandenberg is notorious for fog, so I'm hoping we get lucky.

Ronsmytheiii · « **Reply #7 on:** 10/20/2008 10:55 pm »

Quote from: DaveJes1979 on 10/20/2008 10:07 pm

Anyone get wind of weather forecasts for Friday?

here is weather underground's forecast:

http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=93437&hourly=1&yday=297&weekday=Friday

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #8 on:** 10/24/2008 05:05 am »

ULA PAO Mike:

"We are working no issues with the vehicle, spacecraft or range and we have a zero, yes, zero chance of weather violation for tomorrow or Saturday if we should scrub tomorrow. "

faustod · « **Reply #9 on:** 10/24/2008 06:32 am »

Well, all seems going very good.
A successful launch will surely assure a new contract for ULA:
the launch of COSMO-Skymed 4.

Jim · « **Reply #10 on:** 10/24/2008 11:15 am »

Quote from: faustod on 10/24/2008 06:32 am

Well, all seems going very good.
A successful launch will surely assure a new contract for ULA:
the launch of COSMO-Skymed 4.

No more Delta II's are available for west coast launches.

WHAP · « **Reply #11 on:** 10/24/2008 02:00 pm »

What prevents a Delta II from being launched at one coast or another? Last time I checked, there were a small number of unsold Delta II's (3 - 6), all of the launches after 2009 were from the West Coast, and the 2010 schedule did not appear to be full.

D2support · « **Reply #12 on:** 10/24/2008 03:25 pm »

What exact information you looking for? We have a VERY slim window for flight. As specified below by another member we launch tonight 7:28 pm.

D2support · « **Reply #13 on:** 10/24/2008 03:27 pm »

Quote

No more Delta II's are available for west coast launches.

We do have more D II's for launch

Chris Bergin · « **Reply #14 on:** 10/24/2008 03:30 pm »

Welcome to the site's forum D2. Moving this thread to Live Coverage to give it some exposure.

Launch preview will be up later today, live coverage here about L-60 or so.

Jim · « **Reply #15 on:** 10/24/2008 05:18 pm »

Quote from: D2support on 10/24/2008 03:27 pm

Quote

No more Delta II's are available for west coast launches.

We do have more D II's for launch

They are all heavies, therefore constrained to SLC-17B

D_Dom · « **Reply #16 on:** 10/24/2008 05:24 pm »

Thanks Chris, this site and your continued dedication is greatly appreciated. As an aspiring rocket scientist I have a great respect for all the participants on this forum.
I am interested to know what ULA plans for the future of SLC-2. If in fact COSMO-4 is signed will it be a west coast launch?
If this is the last planned Delta II launch from Vandenberg I will be hosting a round and ringing a bell to commemorate the moment.

Stowbridge · « **Reply #17 on:** 10/24/2008 05:32 pm »

Is there an ELV countdown page for this launch?

DaveS · « **Reply #18 on:** 10/24/2008 05:38 pm »

Quote from: Stowbridge on 10/24/2008 05:32 pm

Is there an ELV countdown page for this launch?

http://countdown.ksc.nasa.gov/elv/index-vafb.html

kevin-rf · « **Reply #19 on:** 10/24/2008 05:53 pm »

Quote from: Jim on 10/24/2008 05:18 pm

They are all heavies, therefore constrained to SLC-17B

I take it to fly out of the west coast they would have to come up with new GEM-40's or spend the $$$ to modify the pad to support the GEM-46's.

(So would it be cheaper to fly on an Atlas 401 than to restart GEM-40 production, or modify the pad?)