[Launch Alert] Successful Flight Test

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
                              Brian Webb
                     Ventura County, California
                  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
                        www.spacearchive.info
		       
                              2013 January 26 (Saturday) 20:42 PST
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      GROUND-BASED INTERCEPTOR COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT TEST
                 Department of Defense News Release
                           2013 January 26

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) successfully completed a flight test
of a three-stage ground-based interceptor (GBI), launched from
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., at 2 p.m. (PST) today. 

Data from this flight test will be used to evaluate the Exoatmospheric
Kill Vehicle system performance in a flight environment. If a target
missile were present, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle would collide
directly with the threat warhead to perform a hit-to-kill intercept.
Engineering data from this test will be used to improve confidence for
future intercept missions. 

A target missile launch was not planned for this flight test. After
performing fly out maneuvers, the three-stage booster deployed the
Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle to a designated point in space. After
separating from the booster, the Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle executed
a variety of pre-planned maneuvers to collect performance data in
space. 

Initial indications are that all components performed as designed.
Program officials will assess and evaluate system performance based
upon telemetry and other data obtained during the test. 

Today's event, designated Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Control Test
Vehicle (GM CTV)-01, is part of an extensive test series initiated
after the Flight Test Ground-Based Interceptor (FTG)-06a failure in
December 2010. The Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle flown during GM CTV-01
was modified based on findings from the FTG-06a Failure Review Board.
This test is the critical first step in returning GMD to successful
intercept testing.

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                          WEB SITE UPDATES

An image of today's launch is posted at www.spacearchive.info

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