[Launch Alert] Launch on Schedule

Sun Dec 13 21:42:38 EST 2009

                             LAUNCH ALERT

                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                         kd6nrp at earthlink.net
                     http://www.spacearchive.info

                               2009 December 13 (Sunday) 18:37 PST
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                          LAUNCH ON SCHEDULE

As of 18:00 PST tonight, Monday's Delta/WISE launch from Vandenberg
AFB appears to be on schedule. The rocket is slated to leave Space
Launch Complex 2-West at 06:09:33 PST (14:09:33 UTC), the start of a
launch window that extends until 06:23:51 PST.

Following liftoff, the rocket will rise vertically for several
seconds and begin a gradual turn toward the south.

Since the launch occurs during morning twilight, the event should be
visible to the unaided eye for at least 150 miles.

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                           LAUNCH SUMMARY

Launch: Delta II/Widefield Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE)

Date: 2009 December 14

Launch Window: 06:09:33-06:23:51 PST (14:09:33-14:23:51 UTC)

Launch Site: Pad SLC-2W, Vandenberg AFB

Vehicle: Boeing Delta II with three strap-on solid rocket motors

Launch Heading: Toward the south (196° flight azimuth)

The following table is a listing of flight events for this launch:

 Time                                                    Altitude
(mm:ss)                       Event                    (nautical mi)
-------     -------------------------------------      -------------

00:00       Liftoff 
00:36       Mach 1 
00:50       Maximum Dynamic Pressure 
01:04       Solid Rocket Motors Burnout                    8.8
01:39       Jettison Solid Rocket Motors                  16.9
01:40       Begin Dog-Leg Maneuver 
02:20       End Dog-Leg Maneuver
03:15       Vehicle Emerges from Earth's Shadow
            (probable Twilight Effect)
04:24       First Stage Main Engine Cutoff (MECO)         56.9
04:32       Staging
04:38       Second Stage Ignition                         62.7
04:56       Payload Fairing Jettison                      69.7

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                             RESOURCES

Please consult the following sources for information related to
Monday's Delta II/WISE launch.

Launch Viewing Locations and Information

  www.vandenberg.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=745

  www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

Launch Photography

  www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm

Mission Background

  www.nasa.gov/wise

Launch/Countdown Status

  www.nasa.gov/wise

  www.spaceflightnow.com

Launch Webcasts

  www.ulalaunch.com/index_webcast.html

  www.nasa.gov/wise

  www.nasa.gov/ntv (NASA TV)

NASA TV is reportedly available on Dish TV channel 213 and Direct TV
channel 376.

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