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#40 by cd-slam on 11 Mar, 2011 01:41
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Ask a stupid question...
ULA:
The team continues to march toward the lift-off of ULA's Delta IV with NROL-27 from Cape Canaveral on Friday, March 11. Again, the advertised opening of launch window is 5:57 p.m. EST. The weather forecast remains the same with a 90 percent chance of acceptable weather during the launch window on Friday with a similar forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Tomorrow, the launch team will conduct the Launch Readiness Review. Also, the 45th SW PA and ULA Communications will escort photographers at 2 p.m. to set cameras at SLC-37.
Edit: The only stupid question is the one you didn't ask. -
#41 by Jim on 11 Mar, 2011 01:55
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LRR's are typical held the day before launch. With Atlas, since they split roll to pad and launch into two days, LRR is held at L-2.
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#42 by Jim on 11 Mar, 2011 01:57
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The shuttle is the one that screwed up convention. The KSC review before the FRR was called the LRR.
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#43 by telomerase99 on 11 Mar, 2011 12:44
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Hello, I am visiting Florida from Phoenix Arizona and would like to visit the Delta 4 launch. Does anyone know where is the best observation point that an industry outsider would be able to watch the launch? Is the vantage point sufficiently spectacular to warrant a drive up from Fort Lauderdale?
Thank you all and have a wonderful Friday! -
#44 by Chris Bergin on 11 Mar, 2011 12:55
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Moved for live coverage
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#45 by telomerase99 on 11 Mar, 2011 13:05
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Thanks Chris, do you think if weather is clear the launch will happen right at the start of the window? Or does a countdown start right at the start of the window? I am driving up from Ft Lauderdale and leaving at 315 so I will just barely make it...
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#46 by Chris Bergin on 11 Mar, 2011 13:12
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Was just about to PM you about the merge
Here's the last thing I had from ULA - looks good. We have ULA and EELV people here, so I would imagine if there's a technical issue over the interim period, it'll get turned around fast into this thread. I'll make sure it does too if it comes from ULA PAO.
Weather Forecast
Overall Probability of Weather Constraint Violation: 10% (So that's really good)
Primary Concern: Lift Ground winds
24 Hour Delay Overall Probability of Weather Constraint Violation: 10%
Primary Concern: Cumulus Cloud Rule
48 Hour Delay Overall Probability of Weather Constraint Violation: 10%
Primary Concern: Cumulus Cloud Rule
Synoptic Discussion:
Strong surface cold front will move the FL Peninsula during the day today.
The front is expected to move through the Cape area by early to mid
afternoon. Ahead of the front a line of showers and thunderstorms will pass
through the area Thursday morning. A few of these storms have the
potential to become strong with high winds, frequent lightning, and heavy
rain. On launch day the front will be located well to the east of FL with
high pressure building in from the west-northwest. Post frontal winds will
be breezy but are expected to decrease throughout the day and be below all
vehicle capability limits during MST move and through the launch window.
There remains a very slight chance of ground winds approaching the liftoff
constraint of 20 knots; otherwise no other weather concerns are anticipated.
Benign conditions are expected throughout the weekend in the event of a
24-48 hour delay.
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#47 by telomerase99 on 11 Mar, 2011 13:25
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Could anyone please recommend the best veiwing location for a civilian with no press or military connections for this launch?
Thanks all! -
#48 by Chris Bergin on 11 Mar, 2011 13:41
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ULA:
The MST rolled early this morning and the launch of the ULA Delta IV with a National Reconnaissance Office payload is scheduled for liftoff tonight at 5:57 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex-37, Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida. The weather forecast has improved, calling for a 95 percent chance of acceptable weather.
Cape Canaveral AFS, Fla., (March 11, 2011) - A United Launch Alliance Delta IV sits poised on its launch pad with a National Reconnaissance Office payload at Space Launch Complex-37. Today’s launch is scheduled to blast off at 5:57 p.m. EST. This is the third launch of the year for ULA. NROL-27 will be the seventh flight of the Delta IV Medium+ (4,2) configuration and the 16th flight of the Delta IV family of launch vehicles. Photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance.
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#49 by Antares on 11 Mar, 2011 13:53
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/orl-where-to-watch-the-shuttle-launch-map,0,2856476.photo
I can't find the one on Florida Today. I recommend going to one of the restaurants at Port Canaveral. Spring Break, Friday, launch during happy hour - I'm not sure it gets better than that. -
#50 by edkyle99 on 11 Mar, 2011 14:56
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Are there "tiles" above and below the CBC LOX and LH2 tanks? I'm not sure I've noticed this on previous Mediums, but looking back I see it has been a common feature for at least the past few years.
- Ed Kyle
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#51 by Chris Bergin on 11 Mar, 2011 19:45
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New photo - wanted one for William's article and one turns up, nice!
Plus, 2.5 hours from launch. Fueling continues for about 30 more minutes.
William's article to be published shortly.
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#52 by Ronsmytheiii on 11 Mar, 2011 20:18
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Quote
Upper stage liquid oxygen topping has commenced. That puts all four cryogenic fuel tanks aboard the Delta 4 rocket in topping mode. Getting closer to launch time!
http://www.facebook.com/AirForceSpaceCommand -
#53 by Ronsmytheiii on 11 Mar, 2011 20:20
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#54 by Chris Bergin on 11 Mar, 2011 20:37
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Another excellent launch preview by William Graham:
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/03/live-delta-iv-nrol-27/
Slapped my forehead when I realized why I couldn't find any payload pictures for the two shuttle missions listed.......they be classified
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#55 by William Graham on 11 Mar, 2011 20:44
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Another excellent launch preview by William Graham:
There are pictures of old SDS satellites available. For some reason in 1997 or 1998 the NRO released a few pictures of satellites which were still classified. The images released included, IIRC, an artist's impression of an SDS in orbit, and photographs of a Lacrosse under construction.
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/03/live-delta-iv-nrol-27/
Slapped my forehead when I realized why I couldn't find any payload pictures for the two shuttle missions listed.......they be classified -
#56 by Ronsmytheiii on 11 Mar, 2011 20:53
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By the way, going to assume that coverage will end at payload fairing separation
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#57 by Ronsmytheiii on 11 Mar, 2011 21:11
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#58 by Chris Bergin on 11 Mar, 2011 21:14
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Uh oh...
ULA:
We're less than an hour from launch and the team is contending with high winds aloft. Team is evaluating options for throughout the window if winds remain red.
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#59 by Nick L. on 11 Mar, 2011 21:31
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