Posted on 08/18/2003 6:10:46 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
8/18/2003 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) -- A ground-based interceptor prototype booster successfully launched from here Aug. 16, supporting the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program of the Missile Defense Agency.
The booster, designed by Orbital Sciences Corp., is a three-stage system based on hardware that has flown 45 times on missions carried out by the Pegasus, Taurus and Minotaur space launch vehicles.
The mission’s objectives are to demonstrate the vehicle's silo-launch capabilities, verify the vehicle design and flight characteristics, and confirm the planned performance of its guidance, control and propulsion systems, according to officials.
This is the second test of a booster rocket by Orbital for the missile-defense system. Another booster design being developed by Lockheed Martin will launch from here later this fall.
This launch did not involve an intercept.
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A ground-based interceptor prototype booster successfully launched from here Aug. 16, supporting the Ground-based Midcourse Defense program of the Missile Defense Agency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Bruce Dzitko)
Set to Re-enter above AL QAIDA hide out.
Film @ 11.
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