[Launch Alert] Vandenberg 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 27 (Sunday) 14:08 PST
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					WELCOME

The number of addresses on this newsletter's mailing list has
increased from approximately 750 to 1,200 during the past three
months. This is due in no small part to the impressive Vandenberg dusk
missile launches in September and October and this week's article on
Vandenberg launches in the San Jose Mercury News. With so many new
subscribers, I thought that a description of this newsletter is in
order.

Subject Matter

Astronomy/Space Alert for Southern California (also known as Launch
Alert) deals primarily with missile launches from Vandenberg AFB and
astronomical events.

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This newsletter concentrates on astronomy- and space-related events
of interest to the southern third of California. Major events(such as
conferences, star parties, etc.) in outlying areas are sometimes
mentioned. "Outlying areas" refers to Arizona, southwestern Utah,
southern Nevada, and northern California.

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			 VANDENBERG AFB LAUNCH SCHEDULE
				As of 2002 October 27


			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

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

APR 24		09:44			Delta II
Payload is the Gravity Probe-B scientific satellite