[Launch Alert] Successful Launch

Fri Apr 28 08:11:38 EDT 2006

                             LAUNCH ALERT

			           Brian Webb
		         Ventura County, California
		        E-mail: kd6nrp at earthlink.net
	         Web Site: http://www.spacearchive.info

				              2006 April 28 (Friday) 05:09 PDT
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                     DELTA II LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL
                     Vandenberg AFB News Release

VANDENBERG AFB, Calif. – Vandenberg AFB launched a Delta II rocket
today at 3:02 a.m.  The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex-2
carrying NASA’s CloudSat and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared
Pathfinder Satellite Observations, or CALIPSO, satellites.

The rocket carries the CloudSat and CALIPSO satellites into a 438-mile
circular sun-synchronous orbit.

Col. Jack Weinstein, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift
commander for this mission, or final go-for-launch authority. Chuck
Dovale was NASA’s launch manager, for the mission.

"This was our third launch this month and it is a testament to the
tremendous team effort between NASA, the 30th Space Wing and our
industry partners," Colonel Weinstein said. "We have one opportunity
to be successful with each launch so 100 percent mission success is
our standard."

The primary role of the 6,248-pound spacecraft is to gather
information about the Earth’s water cycle. Together, CALIPSO and
CloudSat will provide new perspectives on Earth’s clouds and aerosols,
answering questions about how they form, evolve and affect water
supply, climate, weather and air quality.

The Delta II is an expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle. It carries
civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar, geosynchronous
transfer and stationary orbits.

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                         LAUNCH OBSERVATION

Carmelita Miranda of Fillmore, California saw this morning's launch
and provided the following report:

"I saw the really pretty launch from our backyard, next to our
observatory, in Fillmore. I didn't have time to set up any camera but
watched the launch with binoculars (12x50). After clearing my
observable horizon, I saw a beautiful red, more crimson in color,
exhaust from the rocket...very nice. I followed the rocket and saw the
second stage ignite, and the "sideways" looking star-burst pattern
from the ignition. Very nice but nearing the southwest horizon. I
followed as far down range as far as I could see before disappearing
off into the distance. I noted the time of 03:07:50. Nice launch.
Good to have it go, finally!"

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