[Launch Alert] Launch On Schedule

[Launch Alert]

Wednesday morning's Minuteman III launch from Vandenberg AFB appears to be on schedule. Liftoff is probably scheduled to occur at, or shortly after, 3:36 a.m., the start of a six-hour launch window.

If the launch occurs early in the window, it may be worthwhile to go outside 50 to 35 minutes before sunrise and look for the launch aftermath. The exhaust may resemble a long, pretzel-shaped trail mixed with a milky-white tenuous cloud. The interesting display will be the result of the exhaust catching the sun's rays at high altitude while the sky is still dark or semi-dark as seen from the ground.

By the way, please let me know if you received this Launch Alert; I am trying to see if the newslettter server is working properly.

Brian Webb