(Sample Titan IV launch)
Posted on 04/30/2005 2:29:52 PM PDT by demlosers
The controversial rocket launch that triggered fears about space debris falling on Newfoundland went off without any problems late Friday.
The Titan rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral, Fla. about an hour after sunset Friday, carrying a satellite for the U.S. military.
Earlier this month, Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams said three offshore energy platforms would be evacuated.
He cited concerns that the rocket's 11-tonne booster engine could fall on one of the rigs instead of into the North Atlantic Ocean, with the Hibernia oil platform 11 kilometres from the furthest likely splashdown point.
But the evacuations were cancelled after the U.S. Air Force Space Command assured the premier that they would destroy the rocket if it veered off course.
On Friday, Defence Minister Bill Graham said he was confident there wouldn't be any problems with the much-delayed U.S. rocket launch.
Though American officials have insisted the launch had been postponed several time due to technical problems, Graham said the delay was a result of Canadian concerns being heard in the United States.
"I believe our representations had something to do with them putting off the launch," Graham said Friday during a visit to CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick.
"We will continue to monitor that carefully. We do not want any risk whatsoever, not a scintilla of risk, to either of those two very important platforms. Frankly, I think the Americans would be well advised to know that they can't afford to have that happen either."
Williams had called for a 100 per cent guarantee that the fixed Hibernia platform, the floating Terra Nova platform and an offshore exploration rig would not be struck by falling debris.
Graham said such boosters always fall into the sea after a launch and that sea lanes are usually cleared.
"In this case, as we pointed out to the Americans, these are platforms that don't move," he said.
"However, we continue to keep them informed and I'm confident we'll be all right."
U.S. officials have rated the odds of the falling booster injuring anyone to be one in a trillion.
With files from The Canadian Press
Newfie weenies?
The Newfoundland Premier has never heard of the “destruct button”.
Titan 4 apparently launched radar-imaging satellite
http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b30/status.html
100% guarantee, huh?
It's good to know that the U.S doesn't have a monopoly on ignorant doofuses.
Defence Minister Bill Graham? What do they need a defense minister for? I thought we were in charge of protecting their sorry a$$e$.
(Sample Titan IV launch)
I saw the launch live last night. I'm almost 100% sure the booster hit the Atlantic ocean. ;-)
okay I'm tryin to figure out this www.astronomynowstore.com thing (subscribe) and it ain't quite easy fer muh. I THINK I serbscribed right properly but ain't sure... could they make it a little easier for we folks? anyhow I got it eventually, nice launch!
Now Canadians are afraid the sky is falling. Real Manly Men in Canuckistan.
I know Canada is considered the forgotten stepchild of the United States, but this sort of petulance to get attention is ridiculous.
The Sky is Falling!
I hear that's the last Titan to be launched on the east coast. Hopefully I'll get to see the last one launched on the west coast pretty soon. :)
Would you happen to know what launch system will replace the Titan IV?
Delta 4 and Atlas 5 http://spaceflightnow.com/titan/b30/
Great link -- thanks!
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