"Lots of bombs in the air..."
Posted on 01/14/2018 8:21:18 PM PST by Hatteras
Any Freepers on the Delmarva know about rocket launches scheduled for this evening. I’m sitting here on my porch high atop Chapel Hill, NC with a view to the north from east to west. I just saw what appeared to be a rocket ascend from the horizon up to about 20 degrees and fade out. It was followed by 3 more, each appearing shortly after the previous ones disappeared. Unlike the airliners I can see from 30 or 40 miles out, these were all glowing red and followed similar paths.
Figured the closest launch facility was at Wallops (I have seen previous launches from this distance in the past) so I checked the Wallops Island schedule and they did not show anything for this evening. I did see on the NASA site that they were going to fire off 4 rockets coming up but they were going to be in Alaska.
Thanks for any info in advance. As you were...
Interesting.
I can’t find any mention online anywhere. Interesting.
Nothing on Space.com’s calendar: https://www.space.com/32286-space-calendar.html
Nothing on spacecoastlaunches:
https://spacecoastlaunches.com/blog/launch-list/
NOthing on NASA list for today:
https://www.nasa.gov/launchschedule/
Probably a spontaneous center fuel tank explosion.
Could you tell the size, could they be fireworks?
How about a boat distress rocket? (Probably a lot closer in than you believe it is.)
I did think about that and there are two large lakes (Falls Lake and Kerr Lake) and a few more smaller lakes but these appeared to be well beyond. But the red glow does lend to the idea of flares though the altitude They reached was extremely high for a flare. Also, I noted at the time, a couple of airliners that passed by at a much closer distance but not close enough to see the red and green nav lights
Definitely not fireworks
OK, I believe you covered my comment well. I wasn’t there so since you are the direct observer as to distance and light intensity I’ll defer.
At this point, it is a UFO for sure.
The other reason I’m leaning away from flares is that each one took a good 30 (or more) seconds to disappear and though they were fading in intensity, they did not appear to be slowing down.
I have seen (from here) a large rocket from Wallops with satellite on board and was able to see a stage separation (pretty cool). I’m thinking these may have been atmospheric test rockets (perhaps?)
Bad Tacos?
Haha! Delicious homemade lasagna tonight.
A couple of weeks ago I saw the launch from Edwards AFB of the rocket that didn’t get that secret payload into orbit.
I was 80 miles to the East. WOW, When the stages separated
it was spectacular.
I fished on the Bay for years and saw one lift off. You are probably right about an atmospheric research data rocket.
Clear skies and good viewing to ya!!
Go to the FAA and check for NOTAMs - rocket launches require such.
I made green chili chicken and cheese enchilada for dinner at a family get together. My first one. Came out well with good reviews. I now return this thread back to the first stage rocket separation.
Iron Man testing out the new thrusters....
Maybe they’ve launched against our arch enemies - Hawaii.
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