[Launch Alert] Correction: Missile Defense Test Delayed

[Brian Webb]

                            LAUNCH ALERT

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

				           2006 August 31 (Thursday) 17:36 PDT
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                    MISSILE DEFENSE TEST DELAYED

This morning's launch of an anti-missile interceptor from Vandenberg
AFB was postponed due to weather. The launch is part of an $85 million
test of the U.S. Ground-based Midcourse Defense system.

The Missile Defense Agency planned to launch a missile carrying a mock
warhead from Kodiak, Alaska followed by the interceptor from
Vandenberg. However, weather conditions at Kodiak prevented launch of
the target and the test was cancelled.

The MDA has rescheduled the test for tomorrow (September 1) between
08:00 and 12:00 PDT.

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                CALL FOR SMART-1 IMPACT OBSERVATIONS

The European Space Agency has issued a call for professional and
amateur astronomers to participate in the SMART-1 impact observation
campaign. The ESA spacecraft will end its lunar science mission by
impacting the Moon's Sea of Excellence on the evening of September 2.

A spacecraft maneuver at the end of July will probably cause the
impact to occur at one of the following times and locations:

	 Date/Time     Date/Time    Latitude   Longitude
	   (PDT)         (UTC)        (° S)      (° W)
	-----------   -----------   --------   ---------
	SEP 2 17:36   SEP 3 00:36     36.4       43.5
	SEP 2 22:41   SEP 3 05:41    36.44      46.25

An exact time and place of impact is unavailable because of
uncertainties regarding the Moon's topography.

According to SMART-1 project scientist Bernard Foing, if the plume
from the impact reaches sunlight, it may be visible with an amateur
telescope or binoculars.

For more information on the SMART-1 impact, go to:

          www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMTU0Z7QQE_Expanding_0.html

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Copyright © 2006 Brian Webb. All rights reserved. This newsletter may
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not be reprinted or posted elsewhere without prior permission.

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