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SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
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HHGT
Guest
Kingman
GT Owner
Did you catch the launch from Vandenberg Sam?
Vandenberg to launch its tallest rocket
January 20, 2011|By W.J. Hennigan, Los Angeles Times
The 235-foot-tall Delta IV Heavy rocket is believed to be carrying a top-secret spy satellite for the U.S. government. The blastoff is expected to shake up nearby Lompoc.
Perched in the fog-covered hills of Lompoc north of Santa Barbara sits a massive 23-story rocket ready to blast off from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The three-engine Delta IV Heavy rocket, the tallest ever to be launched from the base, will be carrying a top-secret spy satellite for the U.S. government capable of snapping pictures detailed enough to distinguish the make and model of an automobile hundreds of miles below, analysts say.
As early as Thursday afternoon, the massive rocket will lift off from the base's Space Launch Complex 6, leaving a thick white plume over the Pacific Ocean as it cuts across the afternoon sky. At 235 feet tall, it's so large that base officials have studied whether the thunderous blastoff will shatter windows nearby.
"We got the word out to people, so they don't think it's an earthquake," said Lt. Ann K. Blodzinski, an Air Force spokeswoman. "Even if you don't see it, you're definitely going to feel it. It's significantly more powerful than our typical launches at Vandenberg."
The Air Force has closed nearby locations, such as Jalama Beach County Park, as a precaution. But that won't stop townspeople from coming out to see the show, said Lompoc Mayor John Linn. The base is the city's largest employer.
"Everyone will be in their front yards for this one," he said. "Living here, you get used to launches. But this is different. This is the big kahuna."
About 10 seconds after the rocket hurtles toward the sky, a sound wave "as loud as a freight train" will sweep over Lompoc, a town of about 43,000, Linn said. "It'll rattle windows and make dogs bark, that's for sure."
Southland residents eager to see the blastoff set for 1:08 p.m. can head to the beaches or the mountains for a glimpse. But it may be difficult to see because it's a daytime launch.
The Space Launch Complex 6 is known on base as "Slick Six." The launch pad built in 1969 was once intended to accommodate space shuttle launches, but they remained in Florida. Since then, the launch pad has gone through many renovations. Most recently, Vandenberg spent $100 million on upgrades over three years.
Vandenberg to launch its tallest rocket
January 20, 2011|By W.J. Hennigan, Los Angeles Times
The 235-foot-tall Delta IV Heavy rocket is believed to be carrying a top-secret spy satellite for the U.S. government. The blastoff is expected to shake up nearby Lompoc.
Perched in the fog-covered hills of Lompoc north of Santa Barbara sits a massive 23-story rocket ready to blast off from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The three-engine Delta IV Heavy rocket, the tallest ever to be launched from the base, will be carrying a top-secret spy satellite for the U.S. government capable of snapping pictures detailed enough to distinguish the make and model of an automobile hundreds of miles below, analysts say.
As early as Thursday afternoon, the massive rocket will lift off from the base's Space Launch Complex 6, leaving a thick white plume over the Pacific Ocean as it cuts across the afternoon sky. At 235 feet tall, it's so large that base officials have studied whether the thunderous blastoff will shatter windows nearby.
"We got the word out to people, so they don't think it's an earthquake," said Lt. Ann K. Blodzinski, an Air Force spokeswoman. "Even if you don't see it, you're definitely going to feel it. It's significantly more powerful than our typical launches at Vandenberg."
The Air Force has closed nearby locations, such as Jalama Beach County Park, as a precaution. But that won't stop townspeople from coming out to see the show, said Lompoc Mayor John Linn. The base is the city's largest employer.
"Everyone will be in their front yards for this one," he said. "Living here, you get used to launches. But this is different. This is the big kahuna."
About 10 seconds after the rocket hurtles toward the sky, a sound wave "as loud as a freight train" will sweep over Lompoc, a town of about 43,000, Linn said. "It'll rattle windows and make dogs bark, that's for sure."
Southland residents eager to see the blastoff set for 1:08 p.m. can head to the beaches or the mountains for a glimpse. But it may be difficult to see because it's a daytime launch.
The Space Launch Complex 6 is known on base as "Slick Six." The launch pad built in 1969 was once intended to accommodate space shuttle launches, but they remained in Florida. Since then, the launch pad has gone through many renovations. Most recently, Vandenberg spent $100 million on upgrades over three years.
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Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
Every so often, the moon will appear to be literally 2-3 times its usual size when it rises over the foothills behind our place. 'Jaw dropping.
(When viewed from our lake house 'even more so due to the moon's reflection on the lake. The same foothills are the backdrop out there too.)
(When viewed from our lake house 'even more so due to the moon's reflection on the lake. The same foothills are the backdrop out there too.)
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HHGT
Guest
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
Now, why is it you have this fixation with The Wynn, Sam? 'Something to do with your childhood, perhaps?
Mebbe I could arrange a therapy session with ole Gunny for you. He has a very understanding couch-side manner...'even has a box of tissues and everything.:tongue
Kingman
GT Owner
Empty Pockets
ex-GT Owner
Wifey and I plan to be in 'Vegas '1st part of March. Anything you forget to have King' getcha next week, I can take care of for ya then, Sam... :biggrin