[Launch Alert] Launch on Schedule

Thu Jan 20 08:04:40 EST 2011

                             LAUNCH ALERT

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

                              2011 January 20 (Thursday) 05:01 PST
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                         LAUNCH ON SCHEDULE

Today's first-ever launch of a Delta IV Heavy booster from Vandenberg
Air Force Base appears to be on schedule. The Delta is slated to
lift-off from Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) at south Vandenberg at
1:08 p.m.

Following liftoff, the rocket will rise vertically for several
seconds. It will then slowly pitch over and probably head southward
over the ocean.

Plans call for the rocket to deliver a classified payload into orbit
for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

Late yesterday afternoon the United Launch Alliance, the launch
services provider, issued the following launch update:

" ... it was a quiet day of launch processing at SLC-6 today so we are
a "GO" for tomorrow. The weather forecast is still 90 percent
acceptable for launch.

... High pressure dominates California bringing fair weather and
warmer temperatures. Winds for MST roll will be out of the east 12-18
gusting to 25 kts. Winds at SLC-6 at T-0 will be out of the northwest
at 10-15 kts. Upper-level winds will max out at 60 kts at 40,000 ft
from the north. There are no predicted space weather events for T-0."

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                              RESOURCES

For additional information related to today's Delta IV Heavy launch,
go to the following locations:

   Delta IV Heavy

      www.boeing.com/defense-space/space/delta/delta4/delta4.htm

      www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB5_j1RYMYg

   Payload

      The payload is classified, but here's a link to the government
      agency responsible for the payload:

         www.nro.mil   

   Launch Pad

      www.spaceflightnow.com/delta/d352/history/

   Launch Viewing

      www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

   Photographing Launches

      www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm

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