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#20
by
Bean Kenobi
on 21 Apr, 2010 17:59
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Uh oh... Mystery...
After mentionning Thursday before, now I read this :
" 4/20/2010 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The launch of a Minotaur IV spacelift booster is delayed due to forecasted weather.
The rocket was set to launch from Space Launch Complex-8 on south base Tuesday, April 20, 2010. The launch has been rescheduled with a time frame of noon-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, 2010. "
Reload the page ?
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#21
by
ugordan
on 21 Apr, 2010 18:00
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Reload the page ?
Thursday for me.
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#22
by
Bean Kenobi
on 21 Apr, 2010 18:04
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OK, you got it : seems to be a problem by my side, sorry for disturbing. Wait and see...
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#23
by
Chris Bergin
on 22 Apr, 2010 13:29
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Re-alinging William's article for the latest attempt. We'll need to keep an eye on the above link in case of another delay.
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#24
by
JimO
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:20
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Still no word on any webcast?
And the coincidence with X-37B launch is more than enough to freak the nuts, it's semi-freaking ME.... ;->
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#25
by
Chris Bergin
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:23
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No sign of a webcast from what we can see, Jim.
Maybe somone in California wants to take a trip over and feed a webcam into a LiveFeed hosting program?
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#26
by
craigcocca
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:28
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Do you guys have one of those LiveFeed backpacks with the six EVDO cards in it for doing Flash Media Encoding and uplink from anywhere? If so, I think I can find someone out here to be your launch cameraman : )
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#27
by
craigcocca
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:30
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So we don't know the exact launch time? Usually VAFB tightens up the launch window a little bit for launches like these when we get closer to the launch. Seems like the NOTAMS restrictions for a six hour launch window would be semi-ridiculous...
--Craig
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#28
by
William Graham
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:35
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So we don't know the exact launch time? Usually VAFB tightens up the launch window a little bit for launches like these when we get closer to the launch. Seems like the NOTAMS restrictions for a six hour launch window would be semi-ridiculous...
--Craig
That is the window. It doesn't have to reach a specific orbit (or any orbit for that matter), so it isn't dependant on the position of the Earth, Sun and other spacecraft relative to the target orbital plane at the time of launch. Minuteman tests also have long windows.
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#29
by
craigcocca
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:43
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So we don't know the exact launch time? Usually VAFB tightens up the launch window a little bit for launches like these when we get closer to the launch. Seems like the NOTAMS restrictions for a six hour launch window would be semi-ridiculous...
--Craig
That is the window. It doesn't have to reach a specific orbit (or any orbit for that matter), so it isn't dependant on the position of the Earth, Sun and other spacecraft relative to the target orbital plane at the time of launch. Minuteman tests also have long windows.
Right, I'm with you on the lack of need to reach a specific orbital plane. I'm just surprised that they didn't tighten up the window more than they did given the effect that it has on the range during daylight hours.
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#30
by
William Graham
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:45
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So we don't know the exact launch time? Usually VAFB tightens up the launch window a little bit for launches like these when we get closer to the launch. Seems like the NOTAMS restrictions for a six hour launch window would be semi-ridiculous...
--Craig
That is the window. It doesn't have to reach a specific orbit (or any orbit for that matter), so it isn't dependant on the position of the Earth, Sun and other spacecraft relative to the target orbital plane at the time of launch. Minuteman tests also have long windows.
Right, I'm with you on the lack of need to reach a specific orbital plane. I'm just surprised that they didn't tighten up the window more than they did given the effect that it has on the range during daylight hours.
A longer window gives them a better chance of resolving problems, or waiting for weather to improve.
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#31
by
jimvela
on 22 Apr, 2010 17:47
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So we don't know the exact launch time? Usually VAFB tightens up the launch window a little bit for launches like these when we get closer to the launch. Seems like the NOTAMS restrictions for a six hour launch window would be semi-ridiculous...
--Craig
That is the window. It doesn't have to reach a specific orbit (or any orbit for that matter), so it isn't dependant on the position of the Earth, Sun and other spacecraft relative to the target orbital plane at the time of launch. Minuteman tests also have long windows.
Right, I'm with you on the lack of need to reach a specific orbital plane. I'm just surprised that they didn't tighten up the window more than they did given the effect that it has on the range during daylight hours.
Makes it a lot harder for someone with
backpacks with the six EVDO cards in it for doing Flash Media Encoding
to set up off-base somewhere... amongst other undesired watchers...
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#32
by
Blackstar
on 22 Apr, 2010 18:00
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Having been to Vandenberg, unless you're on base, the closest you're going to get is to the south. And it's possible that they have evacuated some of the southern beach areas depending upon launch safety concerns (although I doubt it). Viewing from the east isn't all that great.
So unless you're right there, the best you're going to get is a smoke trail.
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#33
by
jimvela
on 22 Apr, 2010 18:05
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Having been to Vandenberg, unless you're on base, the closest you're going to get is to the south. And it's possible that they have evacuated some of the southern beach areas depending upon launch safety concerns (although I doubt it). Viewing from the east isn't all that great.
So unless you're right there, the best you're going to get is a smoke trail.
I've managed to find places to see launches of vehicles I worked on, when I wasn't on base for the launch... But yes, you are at long range.
Hopefully I'll be there watching one I supported take its ride in July...
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#34
by
Chris Bergin
on 22 Apr, 2010 20:18
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Nothing on the VAFB site about a launch yet.
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#35
by
billmeco
on 22 Apr, 2010 21:16
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There targeting the end of window 4pm (local) after working a problem with the HTV.
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#36
by
billmeco
on 22 Apr, 2010 21:19
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They powered down Minotaur and are doing a recycle to T-70. Which should pickup in about 30 minutes. Very cloudy here but no word on weather.
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#37
by
Chris Bergin
on 22 Apr, 2010 21:26
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Thanks Bill!
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#38
by
billmeco
on 22 Apr, 2010 21:44
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Minotaur is Green, HTV is Green, weather is Amber? (What ever that means) Weather downrange is Green. Picking up count in about 5 minutes for a 4:00pm local launch.
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#39
by
MikeMi.
on 22 Apr, 2010 21:44
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Appreciate any info so great thanks Bill!
