[Launch Alert] Launch Schedule
Brian Webb
[email protected]
Thu, 31 Jul 2003 06:22:58 -0700
ASTRONOMY/SPACE ALERT FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Brian Webb
Ventura County, California
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: http://home.earthlink.net/~kd6nrp
Reaching more than 2,150 e-mail addresses worldwide
2003 July 31 (Thursday) 06:15 PDT
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INVISIBLE CLOUDS - PART II
The first part of this article explained that the substandard
reception of TV channels 2 through 6 experienced in the northern
hemisphere from late May to mid-July is caused by interference from
distant TV stations on the same channel.
It further described that signals from television stations operating
on channels 2 through 6, like other VHF radio signals, normally follow
line-of-sight paths and escape into space, limiting their reception to
about 150 miles.
However, during late spring and early summer, thin, dense clouds of
ions capable of reflecting radio waves form high above the Earth.
These clouds can bend these signals earthward, allowing for the
reception of TV and other VHF signals from 375 to 1,300 miles away.
Occurring at an altitude of 70 miles - just below the ionosphere's
E-layer - these clouds, and the distant reception they allow are
referred to as "Sporadic-E", "e-skip", or "Es".
Now we arrive at the question of what causes Sporadic-E.
After decades of observations and research, the answer is that nobody
is 100% sure. It's one of the few easily observed natural phenomena
that lacks an adequate explanation.
Over the years, various reasons have been proposed to explain
what populates the E layer with ions and causes them to form dense
clouds. These explanations include:
- The jetstream
- Windshear due to gravity waves resulting from weather in the
lower atmosphere
- Lighting from thunderstorms
- Meteor showers
- Gas or dust from comets
- Earth's magnetic field
Although none of the proposed explanations is completely satisfactory,
windshear appears to be the most likely.
There is clearly a seasonal influence because E-skip is most intense
in the northern and southern hemispheres around the times of their
respective summer solstices when the Sun is high in the sky.
Oddly, unlike more familiar long-haul radio reception that is best
near the peak of the 11-year solar cycle, Sporadic-E tends to be most
intense during years of minimal solar activity.
In closing, the next time you experience TV reception problems on
channels 2 through 6 during late spring and early summer, try to
appreciate one of nature's mysteries.
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VANDENBERG AFB LAUNCH SCHEDULE
As of 2003 July 31
This schedule is a composite of unclassified information from sources.
It is essentially accurate at the time of publication, but may
disagree with other launch schedules (including the official
Vandenberg AFB schedule). This listing does not provide sensitive or
potentially sensitive information on military launches.
Launch
Time/Window
Date (PST/PDT) Vehicle Pad/Silo
-------- ----------- ------------- --------
AUG Unannounced Minuteman III LF-26
ICBM test launch (non-orbital). Payload is at least one unarmed
warhead. Impact area is in the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein the
central Pacific. GT-183GB
AUG 12 19:06-20:02 Pegasus XL Offshore
Payload is the Canadian Space Agency's SciSat 1 ozone monitoring
satellite. Pegasus will be air-launched from an L-1011 staged from
Vandenberg AFB
SEP Unannounced Minuteman III LF-10
ICBM test launch (non-orbital). Payload is at least one unarmed
warhead. Impact area is in the Reagan Test Site at Kwajalein in the
central Pacific. GT-181GM
SEP 14 09:17-09:27 Titan II SLC-4W
Payload is the DMSP 16 military weather satellite
NOV 13 19:30 Delta II SLC-2W
Payload is NASA's Gravity Probe B scientific satellite
NOV 20 Unannounced Atlas II SLC-3E
Payload is a classified National Reconnaissance Office satellite(s)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
In late 2002, President Bush directed the
Department of Defense to deploy a defense system
against ballistic missiles. The system will have
several anti-missile interceptors on alert in 2004,
including four at Vandenberg AFB.
The following Vandenberg AFB news release describes
a meeting held at Vandenberg on Monday, July 21,
regarding the deployment of interceptors at the
base.
ON ALERT IN 437 DAYS; FOCUS DAY KEEPS IDO ON COURSE
VANDENBERG AFB, Calif. - The bed down of the Missile Defense Agency's
[MDA's] four operational interceptors here is on track for initial
defensive operational capability by the end of September 2004,
according to the Air Force Space Command commander.
General Lance W. Lord, AFSPC commander and Lt. Gen. Ronald T. Kadish,
MDA director were among the 70 senior leaders and project managers
from the base, AFSPC, MDA, and the Ground-based Midcourse Defense
office attending a focus day here, Monday. Following status and
issue briefings and open action item discussions on the deployment of
the interceptors, the group toured some of the key facilities
scheduled for use by the MDA.
"This is a very important mission," said Lord. "A lot of things have
to happen to make sure we can make IDO by end of September next year.
We've got issues to work involving the base, environmental impact,
personnel, facilities...but these are all issues we'll work through as
a team."
On Dec. 17, 2002, President George W. Bush directed the Department of
Defense to begin fielding initial missile defense capabilities in
2004-2005 to meet the near-term ballistic missile threats to the U.S.,
its deployed forces, and allies.
In the rapid transition from a test bed to the placing of up to 20
live interceptors on alert beginning in 2004, MDA plans to employ a
layered approach, including up to 10 operational interceptors -- four
at Vandenberg and six at Fort Greely, Alaska for the initial
capability.
"Vandenberg is an excellent facility, with good people, with good
hardware, with a great capability for connection," said Lord. "But you
don't want to have all your eggs in one basket. This plan gives us an
opportunity to set up on a dual base system and it will pay off."
Vandenberg and AFSPC bring a lot of pre-existing infrastructure to
support the President's directive. Current plans call for renovating
approximately 11 facilities to support the mission and upgrading five
launch facilities--four for the live interceptors and one test silo.
By renovating or modifying existing facilities, the environmental
impact is minimized, briefed Army Col. Steve Davis, Director, Site
Activation for GMD.
Prior to construction start however, an environmental assessment
must be completed. The draft EA is currently being coordinated with a
public review period from Sep. 29 to Oct. 29, this year.
If all environmental assessments are completed and approved on time,
construction could start by January 2004.
While the MDA is the Defense Department's research and development
agency responsible for the development, testing and fielding of
missile defense capabilities, the system deployed here and designed to
intercept long-range ballistic missile targets will be operated by
Strategic Command.
In order to ensure successful IDO implementation here, the MDA plans
to continue with ground and flight tests, including upcoming tests of
two different booster systems over the next couple of months followed
by additional booster system tests as part of an integrated flight
test from Kwajalein Atoll this fall.
"The goal of MDA with regards to initial defensive operations consists
of three objectives: take the steps necessary to develop, test and
field an operational capability in the fall of 2004, place the system
on alert; and carry out concurrent testing and operations," said MDA
spokesman, Rick Lehner.
To realize those objectives however, the team has work to do. "We
picked up about seven new action items today related to facilities and
making sure that the concept of operations works well together," said
Lord. "We have 437 days until the end of September, so every day
counts."
The focus days help keep the project on course to meet their
objectives, said Lehner. "Meetings such as this ensure all affected
parties...stay on the same page in terms of coordination of planning
efforts, reducing potential for duplication of efforts, which could
result in higher system costs."
The AFSPC commander agrees that the focus days help with the process.
"I'd say we are on track, but a lot of things could come up that you
have to work with. That's why it's important to get together at the
general officer and senior level to make sure these little things that
pop up from time to time don't end up being great big barriers at the
end of the program," said Lord.
The mission here won't change with the acquisition of the live
interceptors. Testing activities to support missile defense
development will continue, and defensive operations impacts to the
current mission should be minimal, said Lehner.
Lord views the interceptor mission as the next step in the evolution
of Vandenberg AFB.
"I think the missile defense mission is a very important part of
making sure we can protect ourselves and protect our allies and
friends from external threats," said Lord. "Vandenberg has been key to
the development of the nation's deterrent capability ever since it was
Camp Cooke. It is the center of gravity of assured access to space and
this is just another step forward for this great base and community."
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SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASTRONOMICAL EVENTS
for 2003 August
Time
Date PST/PDT Event
-------- ----------- ----------------------------------
AUG 4 07:00 Neptune Opposition
Neptune is opposite the Sun with respect to Earth and rises at sunset.
RASC Observer's Handbook 2003, pg. 91
AUG 5 00:28 First Quarter Moon
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/MoonPhase.html
AUG 6 20:54* Lunar Occultation
The Moon occults (passes in front of) the star Rho Ophiuchi. Star
reappears at 20:54. The disappearance is not visible.
http://www.planetkc.com/bobgraze/2003d.zip
AUG 11 21:48 Full Moon
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/MoonPhase.html
AUG 13 02:00-05:00 Meteor Shower
Perseid meteor shower. This year's display will be hampered by the
nearly full Moon. RASC Observer's Handbook 2003, pg. 223
AUG 14 14:00 Mercury Eastern Elongation
Elusive Mercury attains its maximum angular separation from the
Sun. Look for the planet low in the west at dusk. RASC Observer's
Handbook 2003, pg. 91
AUG 18 11:00 Venus Superior Conjunction
Venus is on the far side of the Sun relative to Earth and is lost in
the Sun's glare. RASC Observer's Handbook 2003, pg. 91
AUG 19 17:48 Last Quarter Moon
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/MoonPhase.html
AUG 22 03:00 Jupiter Conjunction
Jupiter is on the far side of the Sun relative to Earth and is lost in
the Sun's glare. RASC Observer's Handbook 2003, pg. 91
AUG 23-24 --- Dark Sky Weekend None
Optimum time this month for observing faint objects. Amateur
astronomers will congregate at dark observing sites.
AUG 24 03:00 Uranus Opposition
Uranus is opposite the Sun with respect to Earth. RASC Observer's
Handbook 2003, pg. 91
AUG 27 02:52 Mars-Earth Closest Approach
Mars and Earth will be 34.65 million miles apart - their closest
approach in 100,000 years. RASC Observer's Handbook 2003, pg. 91
AUG 27 10:26 New Moon
http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/MoonPhase.html
AUG 28 11:00 Mars Oppsition
Mars is opposite the Sun with respect to Earth. Look for a very
bright, rusty orange object low in the east after dark. RASC
Observer's Handbook 2003, pg. 91
AUG 30-31 --- Dark Sky Weekend
Optimum time this month for observing faint objects. Amateur
astronomers will congregate at dark observing sites.
AUG 31 21:12* Lunar Occultation
The Moon occults (passes in front of) the star Lambda Virginis. Star
disappears at 21:12. The reappearance is not visible.
http://www.planetkc.com/bobgraze/2003d.zip
*Time computed for downtown Los Angeles. The time will vary depending
on your location.
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COLD WAR REAL ESTATE
Interested in buying land in the country? The Burro Inn in Tubac,
Arizona may be just what you're looking for. It was recently auctioned
on eBay with a starting bid of $600,000. The auction ended on July
26th with no bids received. It has since been relisted.
However, this isn't your typical piece of property. eBay's description
reads "Built in 1962, this Titan II Missile Silo is now available for
commercial or residential use. Over 5000 square feet of usable
underground space is ready for renovation. This concrete and steel
facility was designed and built to withstand a nuclear "A" bomb
explosion. When the government retired this site they destroyed the
actual missile silo, but left the command center, access portal and
blast lock area."
In a telephone interview, property owner Pete Goshia told me he
bought Titan II site 07 from the federal government in 1988 for
$132,100. He and his wife Pat subsequently built a restaurant and
hotel on it.
Prior to Goshia's purchase of the land, the Titan II missile silo was
dynamited and the access to the underground launch control center
buried. He said they eventually found the access tunnel and were able
to get most of the way down to the launch control center, but had to
abandon the effort. The facility is filled with water according to
Goshia
For more information on this unique property, go to:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2334810489
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GLOSSARY
AFSPC Air Force Space Command
BV- Booster Verification test. A booster test launch (BV-5 for
example).
DMSP Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
EA Environmental Assessment
EKV Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle. The anti-missile interceptor
for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system designed to
destroy missiles in space during the middle (midcourse)
portion of their trajectory.
GMD The Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system designed to
destroy missiles in space during the middle (midcourse)
portion of their trajectory.
GT- Glory Trip. Name given to strategic missile test launches
(GT-183GB, etc.)
IDO Initial Defensive Operational capability
LF- Launch facility. A missile silo (such as LF-10).
MDA Missile Defense Agency
PDT Pacific Daylight Time
PST Pacific Standard Time
RASC Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
SLC- Space Launch Complex. A launch pad (SLC-2W for example).
VHF Very high frequency. Refers to the 30-300 MHz portion of the
radio spectrum.