[Launch Alert] Saturday Launch

[kd6nrp at earthlink.net]

Some of you are asking about launch viewing sites.

Go to:

http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

For advice on photographing Vandenberg launches, go to:

http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm


The following is a press release about the launch from Orbital Sciences.

For Immediate Release

ORBITAL SET TO LAUNCH MINOTAUR IV ROCKET FOR U.S. AIR FORCE

-- First Minotaur IV Orbital Mission to Launch SBSS Satellite to Enhance
Air Force's Ability to Detect and Track Objects in Space --


(Dulles, VA 24 September 2010) - Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB),
one of the world's leading space technology companies, today announced that
it is prepared to launch the first orbital mission of the Minotaur IV
rocket in support of the Air Force's Space Based Space Surveillance (SBSS)
satellite, also known as SBSS Block 10.  The Minotaur IV rocket is the
latest in the family of highly reliable, cost-effective Minotaur launches
that Orbital has developed for the U.S. Air Force.  The SBSS mission will
be the 18th to be carried out by Orbital's family of Minotaur vehicles over
the last 10 years.  The previous 17 missions have all been successful.

The Minotaur IV launch vehicle is based on decommissioned Peacekeeper
rocket motors that Orbital has upgraded and integrated with modern avionics
and other subsystems to produce a cost-effective space launcher based on
flight-proven hardware.  Subject to final preparations and favorable
weather conditions, the mission will originate from Space Launch Complex-9
at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA, with an available launch window from 9:41
to 9:55 p.m. (PDT) on Saturday, September 25, 2010.

SBSS Block 10 will complement an array of ground-based sensors to detect
and track objects in space, such as satellites and orbital debris, to
enhance operations and situational awareness.  NASA may also use
information collected by SBSS Block 10 to maneuver the International Space
Station away from threatening orbital debris.

This mission will be the inaugural orbital flight of the Minotaur IV, which
is capable of carrying out a variety of orbital and suborbital missions for
the U.S. Air Force and other customers.  Orbital currently has eight
additional Minotaur IV launches scheduled, the next of which will launch
STP-S26, a research and development mission for the Air Force that will
carry seven small satellites with 16 experimental payloads into orbit.

"Building upon the success of our first Minotaur IV launch earlier this
year, a suborbital mission for DARPA, we are excited to begin executing our
backlog of Minotaur IV orbital missions, beginning with the SBSS mission,"
said Mr. Ron Grabe, Orbital's Executive Vice President and General Manager
of its Launch Systems Group.  "By developing all the Minotaur systems using
existing, flight-proven components, we have been able to provide reliable
and cost-effective launch services for a wide range of government missions
for the past decade."

About Minotaur IV

The Minotaur IV space launch vehicle leverages the flight-proven heritage
of Orbital's Minotaur I, Pegasus and Taurus space launch vehicles to
provide a highly reliable, capable and cost-effective space launcher.  It
utilizes three government-furnished solid rocket motors from decommissioned
Peacekeeper ICBMs and, in certain configurations, commercial solid rocket
upper stages.  The Minotaur IV rocket is capable of launching payloads up
to 4,000 lbs. (1,820 kgs.) to low-Earth orbit.

About Orbital

Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space
systems for commercial, military and civil government customers.  The
company's primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including
low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary exploration
spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense
missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other
missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into
orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target
vehicles.  Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related
technical services to U.S. Government agencies and laboratories. More
information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com.