BajaNomad - Rocket launch 12-18-18

Rocket launch 12-18-18

bajaguy - 12-18-2018 at 12:00 PM

From Vandenberg AFB, California

Launch Date: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018
Launch Time: 5:57 p.m. PST

https://www.ulalaunch.com/missions/delta-iv-nrol-71

David K - 12-18-2018 at 12:10 PM

Thanks, Terry!

Bubba - 12-18-2018 at 12:16 PM

Hope it's a go!

fishbuck - 12-18-2018 at 01:14 PM

Launch scrubed. Some thing-a-ma-jiggy wasn't working right.

bajaguy - 12-18-2018 at 01:19 PM

"thing-a-ma-jiggy".....is that pilot talk for high winds??

Quote: Originally posted by fishbuck

Launch scrubed. Some thing-a-ma-jiggy wasn't working right.

fishbuck - 12-18-2018 at 01:25 PM

Didn't know it was weather. I wasn't on the flying scehdule for that mission. :cool:

But thank you for the update.
I saw a night launch a few weeks ago and it was spectacular.

BornFisher - 12-18-2018 at 05:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

5:44 Wednesday is the new time I saw posted...

PM?

David K - 12-18-2018 at 06:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BornFisher

Quote: Originally posted by David K

5:44 Wednesday is the new time I saw posted...

PM?

YES, Here is from the rocket launch website: https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

Dec. 19/20Delta 4-Heavy • NROL-71

Launch time: 0144 GMT on 20th (8:44 p.m. EST; 5:44 p.m. PST on 19th)
Launch site: SLC-6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

A United Launch Alliance Delta 4-Heavy rocket will launch a classified spy satellite cargo for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office. The largest of the Delta 4 family, the Heavy version features three Common Booster Cores mounted together to form a triple-body rocket.

Delayed from Sept. 26.
Moved forward from Dec. 3.
Delayed from Nov. 29.
Scrubbed on Dec. 7 by an issue with holdfire circuitry.
Scrubbed on Dec. 8 at T-minus 7.5 seconds.
Scrubbed on Dec. 18 by high ground winds.

BornFisher - 12-18-2018 at 07:06 PM

Anyone know if it will go south? Sometimes they go west.

Paco Facullo - 12-18-2018 at 07:21 PM

"thing-a-ma-jiggy" sometimes also referred to as a " Do-hicky"

David K - 12-18-2018 at 08:02 PM

It's a spy satellite, so polar orbit (south) is likely.

Bubba - 12-19-2018 at 06:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

5:44 Wednesday is the new time I saw posted...

Last one scrubbed due to weather?

John Harper - 12-19-2018 at 06:51 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bubba

Quote: Originally posted by David K

5:44 Wednesday is the new time I saw posted...

Last one scrubbed due to weather?

High wind. Here's the forecast for Lompoc, just east of VAFB. Calm today, hopefully same at the launch site.
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Lompoc&am...

John

Bubba - 12-19-2018 at 10:46 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by Bubba

Quote: Originally posted by David K

5:44 Wednesday is the new time I saw posted...

Last one scrubbed due to weather?

High wind. Here's the forecast for Lompoc, just east of VAFB. Calm today, hopefully same at the launch site.
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Lompoc&am...

John

I'm in Pismo, no wind at the moment.

Cardon - 12-19-2018 at 10:59 AM

As a kid growing up in Long Beach we loved to watch missile launches , especially when things went wrong and they exploded. Explosions make the most wonderful patterns in the sky that lasted a long long time since they were so high in the sky.

As an adult I dread missile explosions as I now realize they aren't free fireworks.

Delta Heavy is Ready!

David K - 12-19-2018 at 03:37 PM

willardguy - 12-19-2018 at 06:50 PM

another scrub.......

LancairDriver - 12-19-2018 at 08:14 PM

Good thing it’s a peaceful satellite launch and we’re not under attack.

shari - 12-19-2018 at 08:35 PM

yet another anti-climactic gathering on the upstairs patio in giddy anticipation of watching a rocket launch...great excuse for c-cktails up there with whoever is in the hood.
Better luck tomorrow we hope!

AKgringo - 12-19-2018 at 08:43 PM

Oddly enough, right about the scheduled launch time something apparently in the upper atmosphere either created a contrail, or burned up over northern California.

motoged - 12-19-2018 at 08:55 PM

It wasn't your Kia was it?

AKgringo - 12-19-2018 at 09:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by motoged

It wasn't your Kia was it?

No! As much as I would like to launch it right now, the tow truck would never achieve escape velocity!

elgatoloco - 12-19-2018 at 09:46 PM

:lol:

Bubba - 12-20-2018 at 06:23 AM

http://www.cbs8.com/story/39665129/watch-socal-rocket-launch...

John Harper - 12-20-2018 at 06:54 AM

Quote: Originally posted by shari

great excuse for c-cktails up there with whoever is in the hood.

Perhaps that's part of their plan? Launch watch parties!

John

Bubba - 12-20-2018 at 07:34 AM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

Quote: Originally posted by shari

great excuse for c-cktails up there with whoever is in the hood.

Perhaps that's part of their plan? Launch watch parties!

John

5th time's a charm!

StuckSucks - 12-20-2018 at 12:21 PM

Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018

(Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., Dec. 20, 2018) – The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-71 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was scrubbed yesterday due to indications of elevated hydrogen concentrations within the port booster engine section.

The team is currently reviewing all data and set the next launch attempt no earlier than Dec. 30, 2018.