[Launch Alert] Minotaur I Launch Scheduled

Thu Feb 3 22:22:10 EST 2011

                             LAUNCH ALERT

                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
                       www.spacearchive.info

                              2011 February 3 (Thursday) 19:11 PST
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                     MINOTAUR I LAUNCH SCHEDULED
                    Vandenberg AFB Press Release
                           2011 February 3

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A Minotaur I rocket is scheduled
to launch from Space Launch Complex-8 here Feb. 5 at 4:26 a.m. PST.

The rocket will be carrying a national security payload for the
National Reconnaissance Office.

Technicians from the 1st Air and Space Test Squadron here executed
emplacement of the rocket's lower and upper stack in recent weeks
supporting a schedule that was compressed due to delays in the recent
Delta IV Heavy launch at SLC-6.

"I'm proud of the work our team has accomplished in support of this
unique mission," said Lt. Col. Timothy Harris, 1st ASTS commander and
Air Force launch director for the mission. "NRO's desire to
demonstrate and integrate new technologies fits right in with our
unique ability to launch Minotaur I and Minotaur IV rockets at
SLC-8."

The 1st ASTS provides space lift maintenance technicians, mission
assurance, mission management, booster and payload processing
facilities for SLC-8 launches.  

Showcasing the 30th Space Wing's ability to press on and focus on
getting the mission done, stacking of the rocket occurred just hours
after the launch of the Delta IV Heavy Jan. 20. said Harris.

Col. Richard Boltz, 30th Space Wing commander is the launch decision
authority.

The launch is a combined effort of more than 200 personnel from the
30th Space Wing, NRO, Orbital Sciences Corporation, and Space and
Missiles Center.

-30-

Post-launch articles, photos and video will be posted to
www.vandenberg.af.mil and www.Facebook.com/30thSpaceWing

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                           LAUNCH SUMMARY

Launch: Minotaur I/NROL-66

Date: 2011 February 5

Time: 04:26 PST (12:26 UTC)

Launch Window: Unknown

Pad/Silo: Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) at south Vandenberg

Launch Heading: Not released, but probably southward (towards the
south-southeast, south, or south-southwest

Launch Visibility: The Minotaur I uses solid fuel rocket motors,
which burn brilliantly and produce a thick, white smoke trail.

If the sky is clear and liftoff occurs at 04:26, the launch should
be visible to the unaided eye for hundreds of miles. In outlying
areas, the Minotaur will probably resemble a moving orange or red
star.

If the launch occurs during the pre-dawn darkness, be sure to go
outside about 45 minutes before sunrise at your location. You may see
the launch aftermath lit up by the Sun and suspended against the dawn
sky.

The announced launch time (04:26) is probably too long before sunrise
for the Minotaur to climb out of the Earth's shadow during the powered
portion of the launch.

However, should the launch be delayed and occur within an hour of
sunrise at the launch site, there is a good chance that the rocket
will climb into sunlight during the first, second, third, or fourth
stage burn and the exhaust plume will be illuminated by sun, creating
an interesting display.

Once you spot the launch, be sure to stay put until at least T+15
minutes. There may be a long delay before the upper stage ignites.

For photos of previous Minotaur launches, go to:

   www.spacearchive.info/minotaur-jawsat.htm

   www.spacearchive.info/minotaur-streak.htm

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                     LAUNCH AND COUNTDOWN STATUS

For launch and countdown status for Saturday's launch, consult the
following sources:

   Web Sites with Countdown Status:

      www.spaceflightnow.com

   Webcasts: None announced

   Satellite Feeds: None announced

   Twitter Updates:

      http://twitter.com/spaceflightnow/

      http://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing

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                              RESOURCES

For additional information related to the launch, go to the
following locations:

   Launch Vehicle

      www.orbital.com/SpaceLaunch/Minotaur/I/

   Payload

      Details regarding this payload are classified. It is being
      launched for the National Reconnaissance Office ( www.nro.mil ).

   Launch Pad/Silo

      www.calspace.com/SSI/SLC-8_Overview.html

   Launch Viewing

      www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

   Photographing Launches

      www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm

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