[Launch Alert] Launch Schedule

[Brian Webb]

		ASTRONOMY/SPACE ALERT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
 				  
				Brian Webb, KD6NRP
			 Ventura County, California
			E-mail: kd6nrp@earthlink.net
		Web Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~kd6nrp
 				       
						2002 October 8 (Tuesday) 19:30 PDT
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			VANDENBERG AFB LAUNCH SCHEDULE
				As of 2002 October 8

You'll probably find the first two launches on the schedule to be of
interest.

		Launch
		Time/Window
Date		(PST/PDT)		Vehicle

OCT-DEC	Unknown		Scud
Vehicle will be launched on a ballistic (non-orbital) trajectory.
First of two Scud launches as part of a program to compile a better
database of Scud flight characteristics using advanced sensors
at Vandenberg.  The data will be used to improve the Patriot missile
system

OCT-DEC	Unknown		Scud
Vehicle will be launched on a ballistic (non-orbital) trajectory.
Second of two Scud launches as part of a program to compile a better
database of Scud flight characteristics using advanced sensors
at Vandenberg.  The data will be used to improve the Patriot missile
system

OCT		Unknown		Minuteman II
Vehicle will send unarmed warhead and decoys on ballistic (non-orbital)
trajectory to the central Pacific. Objects will be launched for the
IFT-9 missile defense test. An interceptor launched from the Marshall
Islands will attempt to kill the warhead. 

NOV		13:00?		EKV Booster
EKV booster test launch (non-orbital). Test of the prototype booster
for the missile defense system Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle
(interceptor)

DEC 15	06:18			Titan II
Payload is Coriolis military R&D satellite. Morning twilight launch

DEC 20	16:09-17:32		Delta II
Payload is ICESAT environmental and CHIPSAT astronomical satellites

MAR		00:01-06:01		Peacekeeper
ICBM test launch (non-orbital). Payload is two unarmed warheads.
Impact area is near Kwajalein in the central Pacific. GT-32PA 

MAR		Unknown		Pegasus XL
Payload is OrbView 3 commercial reconnaissance satellite. Pegasus will
be air-launched from an L-1011 staged from Vandenberg AFB 

MAR 1		Unknown		Pegasus XL
Payload is SciSat 1 ozone monitoring satellite. Pegasus will be air-
launched from an L-1011 staged from Vandenberg AFB