[Launch Alert] Atlas V Launch

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
                        www.spacearchive.info
		       
                              2013 February 7 (Thursday) 19:46 PST
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                VANDENBERG TO LAUNCH ATLAS V FEB. 11
                    Vandenberg AFB Media Release
                           2013 February 5

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg is scheduled to
launch a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying a NASA payload
from Space Launch Complex-3 here Feb. 11 between 10:02 and 10:50 a.m.

Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander, is the launch decision
authority.

"Our team and our mission partners have put a lot of hard work into
preparing for this launch," said Armagno. "We are looking forward to a
second successful launch of the new year."

Vandenberg's 4th Space Launch Squadron is in final preparations for
launch with Vandenberg's mission partners including ULA, Orbital
Sciences Corp. and NASA.

"The 200 foot-tall rocket is completely assembled at the launch pad,
including the NASA satellite, named Landsat Data Continuity Mission,"
said Lt. Col. Ram Riojas, Air Force launch director for this mission.
"This upcoming launch will be the 6th Atlas V rocket launched from
Vandenberg and is part of the squadron's on-going record-high ops
tempo: processing four launch missions at the same time."

The 4th SLS was formed in 1994 to support Titan missions at
Vandenberg's Space Launch Complex-3, and then re-chartered in 2003 to
operate the Atlas V and Delta IV launch systems. Today, the squadron
executes Western Range Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle spacelift
operations with a combined team of engineers, space operators, program
managers and missile maintenance technicians. The squadron's core
competencies include mission assurance, launch campaign integration,
system sustainment and launch operations, each of which is critical to
a safe and successful launch.

NASA's most recent Vandenberg launch on an Atlas rocket was onboard an
Atlas IIAS in 1999.

"NASA is a great customer to work with," said Capt. T.J. Dinkelman,
4th SLS Launch Mission manager. "Everything has gone smoothly up to
this point and we expect nothing more than a successful launch."

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           LAUNCH VIEWING PARTY AT PROVIDENCE LANDING PARK
                    Vandenberg AFB Media Release
                           2013 February 7

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The 30th Space Wing and NASA are
scheduled to host a launch viewing party at Providence Landing Park at 699
Mercury Avenue in Lompoc Monday at 8:30 a.m.

This event is in preparation for the launch of a United Launch Alliance
Atlas V rocket carrying a NASA payload from Space Launch Complex-3 here
between 10:02 and 10:50 a.m.

"We encourage locals to come on out, have some fun, and see a rocket
launch," said Larry Hill, 30th Space Wing's Community Relations chief. "This
is our chance to give back to the community for their support."

Mobility, the rock band from United States Air Force Band of the Golden
West, is scheduled to perform at 8:30 a.m.

Representatives from NASA, U.S. Geological Survey and 30th Space Wing will
be available to answer questions about the payload and the launch.

All interested parties are asked to carpool, as limited parking is only
available at Calvary Baptist Church in Lompoc.

Admission is free for this event.

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                       ATLAS LAUNCH VISIBILTY
                            by Brian Webb

An Atlas V rocket carrying the Landsat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM)
spacecraft is scheduled for launch from Vandenberg AFB on February 11.
Plans call for the Atlas to lift off from Space Launch Complex 3
(SLC-3) at south Vandenberg at 10:02 PST, the start of a launch
window that extends until 10:50 PST. However, issues such as technical
problems, bad weather, or ships or aircraft straying into the range
can cause the launch to happen at any time during the window or to be
rescheduled for another day.

At liftoff, the Atlas will rise vertically from SLC-3 for several
seconds before it slowly begins to pitch over and head toward the
south. The vehicle will briefly produce a contrail as it passes
through a zone that extends roughly from 33,000 to 38,000 feet above
sea level.

The Atlas V rocket variant for slated for launch on Monday uses
liquid propellant engines and no strap-on solid rocket motors.
Unlike solid rocket motors, which produce a brilliant flame, liquid
propellant engines produce a much fainter flame. At launch time, the
Sun will be well above the horizon, creating a bright sky background.
The rocket's use of liquid propellants and the bright sky will
greatly diminish the visibility of the launch.

Under the best of circumstances, the Atlas V will probably only be
visible for the first few minutes of flight from liftoff to first
stage cutoff and stage 1/2 separation.

Under good conditions, observers within seven miles of the launch pad
should enjoy a nice display. For observers in outlying areas the
display will be very subdued.

Under very good conditions, the first stage flame may be visible to
the naked eye as far away as Carpinteria, Pismo Beach, and Taft.
The short contrail from the first stage may be visible as far away as
Pasadena, King City, and Bakersfield.

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                     LAUNCH AND COUNTDOWN STATUS

For launch and countdown status for the Atlas V launch, consult the
following sources:

   Web Sites with Countdown Status:

      spaceflightnow.com

   Webcasts:

      The launch will be carried live at the following locations:

         www.nasa.gov/ntv

            NASA Television Coverage: NASA Television will carry the
            prelaunch news conference and mission science briefing
            starting at noon PST Friday

            On launch day, Feb. 11, NASA TV launch commentary coverage
            of the countdown will begin at 7:15 a.m. PST. Liftoff is
            targeted for 10:02 a.m. PST. Spacecraft separation from
            the Atlas V occurs 1 hour 17 minutes 58 seconds after
            launch.

         www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Multimedia_Webcast.shtml

         spaceflightnow.com

   Twitter Updates:

      www.twitter.com/NASAKennedy

      www.facebook.com/NASAKennedy

      twitter.com/spaceflightnow/

      twitter.com/30thSpaceWing

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                              RESOURCES

For additional information related to the Atlas V/LDCM launch, go
to the following locations:

   Launch Vehicle

      www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/product_cards/AV_product_card.pdf

   Payload

      ldcm.nasa.gov

   Launch Viewing

      www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

   Photographing Launches

      www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm

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