BajaNomad

Rocket launch tonite

elgatoloco - 10-24-2008 at 11:48 AM

Look up at 7:28, you may see it shooting overhead?

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d336/081022track.html

CaboRon - 10-24-2008 at 03:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by elgatoloco
Look up at 7:28, you may see it shooting overhead?

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d336/081022track.html


These things are really cool to watch :

By the way, that is 6:28 pm in Baja California Sur :cool:

CaboRon

BCSTech - 10-24-2008 at 05:07 PM

7:28PM PDT - Isn't that 8:28 PM in Baja?

woody with a view - 10-24-2008 at 05:09 PM

sounds like beer:30......

Bruce R Leech - 10-24-2008 at 05:44 PM

thanks for the heads up. our family will be watching.

fishbuck - 10-24-2008 at 06:35 PM

I apllied for a job at Boeing on the Delta rocket program a few years ago. I got offered the job of Rocket Inspector and went to Vandenburg and visited the lauch pad.
It was pretty interesting and the lauch pad is right on the beach.
I turned the job down because I wasn't ready to give up my Boeing C-17 job where I still work. But still it was very cool to be offered the job of "Rocket Inspector".:cool:
Oh ya it was about 3 hours father away from Baja and that was another reason I turned it down.;D

woody with a view - 10-24-2008 at 06:37 PM

yeah, i've built homes on the base and except for the cold, windy weather, it pretty much sucks 11 months outta the year!:light:

BajaWarrior - 10-24-2008 at 06:43 PM

Maybe we'll see it here in San Diego. We just got back from the Dog Park on Fiesta Island and we're treated to an absolute clear sunset. Viewing should be good tonight

fishbuck - 10-24-2008 at 06:43 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody in ob
yeah, i've built homes on the base and except for the cold, windy weather, it pretty much sucks 11 months outta the year!:light:


That was another factor. It was only a little cooler than SoCal but also a little more damp and foggy. Just didn't feel right.
Give me SoCal and Baja sunshine anyday!!!:bounce:

David K - 10-24-2008 at 07:05 PM

Cool!!!

Thanks Matt for the news... we will be looking up and westward in about 23 minutes!

Super clear sky here in Oceanside!

fdt - 10-24-2008 at 07:10 PM

Wow, thanks Mateo, me and the kids will be watching.

fdt - 10-24-2008 at 07:40 PM

It didn't leave a streak ( no light show) as others have but we saw it, cool.

lizard lips - 10-24-2008 at 07:42 PM

Saw it here. NICE! I wish Obama was on it....

Bruce R Leech - 10-24-2008 at 07:43 PM

had a nice show here:bounce:

Russ - 10-25-2008 at 03:05 AM

I watched towards the WNW but didn't see it. 8:20 to 8:45:? Did I get the time wrong?

elgatoloco - 10-25-2008 at 08:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by fdt
It didn't leave a streak ( no light show) as others have but we saw it, cool.


That streak is the reflection of sunlight in the upper atmosphere off the vapor/smoke trail. This launch was late enough that the sun was not a factor plus the flight path actually took it a more southerly direction then most launches at VAF.

Bruce R Leech - 10-25-2008 at 08:52 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
I watched towards the WNW but didn't see it. 8:20 to 8:45:? Did I get the time wrong?


your time was right for your time zone, but I don't think you could have seen it from there.

years back a uncle of my wife found a complete second stage rocket booster from the same rocket on his ranch to the west of Mulege. so they do fly over that area sometimes.

elgatoloco - 10-25-2008 at 08:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lizard lips
Saw it here. NICE! I wish Obama was on it....


It was a nice show. :yes: This was however an unmanned rocket.:rolleyes: However, now that you mention it, it kind of reminds one of the fast accent and then sudden drop of a certain vp candidate, does it not? ;)

Peace!

elgatoloco - 10-25-2008 at 09:10 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
I watched towards the WNW but didn't see it. 8:20 to 8:45:? Did I get the time wrong?


Based on the trajectory and ascent it was likely 100+ miles high when it passed your latitude and pretty far to the west and going very, very fast.

Here in San Diego we watched with binoculars and could clearly see the main engine cutoff and separation followed closely by the second stage ignition. That was 4:37 into flight and a bit southwest. Right after that it pretty much disappeared from sight.

The satellite that was deployed is the 3rd of 4 that are being used to take photos for mapping. They can make images that show details less then a meter. They might be able to see if you caught a dorado or a jurel? :yes:

David K - 10-25-2008 at 10:12 AM

Baja Angel and I watched it from my back yard (faces west) and saw the orange flame... but was very disappointed that it was so small and too late at night for the sun to light up the vapor trail as it does with earlier launches.

In the past, I saw one go up that created quite a cone of exhaust as it climbed much higher than last night's... then all the colored gas in the sky remained for quite some time.