[Launch Alert] Saturday Launch

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
                        www.spacearchive.info
		       
                              2013 January 24 (Thursday) 18:55 PST
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                   MISSILE DEFENSE TEST SCHEDULED
                           Media Release
                           Vandenberg AFB
                           2012 January 24

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The 30th Space Wing and the U.S.
Missile Defense Agency are scheduled to conduct a flight test
exercising elements of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system Jan.
26, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m on North base.

Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander, is the Launch Decision
Authority.

"Vandenberg Hawks are working with MDA to provide safe launch
operations for the test," " said Armagno."It's a pleasure to work with
our MDA mission partners."

The test will involve the launch of a three-stage Ground-Based
Interceptor missile. It does not involve an intercept, and no target
missile will be launched. MDA will use the test results to improve and
enhance the GMD element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System,
designed to defend the Nation, deployed forces, friends and allies
from ballistic missile attacks, according to an MDA spokesperson.

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                          LAUNCH VISIBILITY

Under good conditions, Saturday's launch should visible to the unaided
eye for a radius of approximately 50 miles. Experienced observers who
know where and when to look, and what to look for, might see the
launch from as far away as 100 miles.

For information about launch viewing and photography, go to:

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

   www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

   www.spacearchive.info/vafbphoto.htm

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                     LAUNCH AND COUNTDOWN STATUS

Saturday's launch is a test of a critical U.S. weapon system.
Therefore, the countdown and progress of the flight will probably not
be available to the public.

   Web Sites with Countdown Status: None known

   Webcasts: None announced

   Satellite Feeds: None announced

   Twitter Updates: None announced

      http://twitter.com/30thSpaceWing

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                           SECURITY POLICY

Launch Alert does not intentionally publish sensitive, potentially
sensitive, or inside information. All information comes from open
sources or is approved for public release.

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