Posted on 06/08/2003 12:15:21 PM PDT by WSGilcrest
ASTRONOMY/SPACE ALERT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Brian Webb Ventura County, California E-mail: kd6nrp@earthlink.net Web Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~kd6nrp
Reaching more than 1,970 e-mail addresses worldwide
2003 June 7 (Saturday) 16:05 PDT ----------------------------------------------------------------------
MINUTEMAN LAUNCH WEDNESDAY
A Minuteman III strategic missile is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg AFB early Wednesday morning, June 11th. The routine test will send three unarmed warheads on a ballistic (non-orbital) trajectory to the central Pacific.
The vehicle is slated to leave its silo at northwest Vandenberg at 01:01 PDT or sometime shortly afterward. The launch window extends from 01:01 to 07:01 PDT.
The vehicle will quickly climb into the night sky and send its three warheads on a 30-minute trip to the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein atoll, some 4,200 nautical miles downrange.
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MINUTEMAN III FLIGHT EVENTS
The following table is a generic listing of flight events for Minuteman III launches from Vandenberg AFB. The times, altitudes, and distances may vary slightly for each launch.
Downrange Time Altitude Distance mm:ss Event (NM) (NM) ----- ------------------ -------- --------- 00:00 Stage 1 ignition 0 0 01:01 Stage 2 ignition 16 18 02:06 Stage 3 ignition 49 120 03:05 Stage 3 separation 123 210
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OBSERVING TIPS
The Minuteman III is bright during its boost (launch) phase. Weather permitting Wednesday's launch should be visible to the unaided eye for hundreds of miles.
Although the naked eye is a good instrument, you will see much more if you use optical assistance. Binocular are good, but tripod-mounted binoculars are even better. The best view will be through an astronomical telescope.
One of the more interesting aspects of the launch occurs following stage 1 - stage 2 separation at T+ 01:00. At that time, the spent first stage will still be burning as it tumbles, creating a flashing point of light.
Coastal low clouds and fog will likely be a problem at launch time. If you live within 50 miles of the coast, try observing the launch from the mountains above 3,000 feet.
If you see the launch, be sure to send me a detailed report.
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MINUTEMAN III LAUNCH
The following is an edited version of a Vandenberg AFB news release about Wednesday's launch.
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The 30th Space Wing's 576th Flight Test Squadron and a task force from the 91st Space Wing, Minot AFB, N.D., are scheduled to launch an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile Wednesday from North Vandenberg as part of Force Development Evaluation. The launch window is scheduled from 1:01 to 7:01 a.m.
Capt. Cory Hanna, 576th FLTS, will direct launch activities. Mission Director for this launch is Lt. Col. Michael Fortney, 576th FLTS commander. Col. Robert M. Worley II, 30th Space Wing commander, will be the spacelift commander. Maintenance members from the 576th FLTS conducted all maintenance activities for the launch.
The missile's three unarmed re-entry vehicles are expected to travel approximately 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting a pre-determined target at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the western chain of the Marshall Islands.
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
mm:ss Minutes and seconds NM Nautical miles. A nautical mile is 6,076.115 feet in length. The statute mile used in everday life is 5,280 feet long. PDT Pacific Daylight Time
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Several years ago, approaching the Newhall Pass coming home to Santa Clarita at dusk, the glow and snaking contrail literally had dozens of cars pulling off to the freeway shoulder for a looksee.
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