[Launch Alert] Launch Update

[kd6nrp at earthlink.net]

LAUNCH UPDATE AND MEDIA ADVISORY

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg is scheduled to perform a launch to support the Near Field Infrared Experiment (NFIRE) boost phase missile defense data collection effort on Aug. 23, with a launch window from 1 to 5 a.m.

The launch is set to occur after having been delayed so that program officials could continue to optimize data collection equipment on board the orbiting NFIRE satellite.  Program officials want to be very precise in preparing for the missile launch due to the fact that the overall objective is to collect as much data as possible from the boosting missile.  

The primary mission of the NFIRE satellite is to collect high and low resolution images of a boosting rocket to improve understanding of missile exhaust "plume" observations and plume-to-rocket body discrimination during three plume signature types: targets of opportunity, dedicated missile fly-bys, and ground observations.

The collected data will be used in the development effort for boost phase missile defense technology, which will help to develop missile defense systems capable of shooting down a hostile ballistic missile within the first few minutes after it is launched.