[Launch Alert] July 20 Dawn Launch

[Launch Alert]

For those of you who are hoping to see an impressive launch, here is an item I just posted at www.spacearchive.info:

"The next announced Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of July 20. The vehicle is slated to lift off from Space Launch Complex-4E at 05:12 PDT and place Iridium NEXT satellites 56-65 into orbit. The first stage's bright flame could make the early portion of this launch visible for more than 120 miles. Liftoff occurs 54 minutes before Vandenberg AFB sunrise. A computer simulation by Rick Baldridge shows the rocket will climb into sunlight at T+ 3 minutes 30 seconds. If so, this would create an impressive display as the rocket's exhaust is illuminated at high altitude by the sun and suspended in a deep twilight sky."

Brian Webb