From launch-alert at mailman.qth.net  Wed Sep 12 13:46:29 2018
From: launch-alert at mailman.qth.net (Launch Alert)
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2018 10:46:29 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Launch Alert] =?utf-8?q?United_Launch_Alliance_to_Launch_Final_D?=
 =?utf-8?q?elta_II_with_NASA=E2=80=99s_ICESat-2?=
Message-ID: <1314250644.7153.1536774389739@wamui-jelly.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

The following is a news release from the United Launch Alliance. Please direct all questions or comments about this release to the originating organization.


United Launch Alliance to Launch Final Delta II with NASA?s ICESat-2 

Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., (Sept. 12, 2018)  ? A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta II rocket is in final preparations to launch NASA?s Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) spacecraft from Space Launch Complex-2 on Sept. 15. This marks the final launch of the Delta II rocket, which first launched on Feb. 14, 1989.
 
?This is the end of an era, as we prepare to launch the final Delta II rocket,? said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. ?This vehicle has truly created a legacy throughout its history launching NASA, critical U.S. military satellites and commercial clients.?
 
>From its origin as the launch vehicle for the first Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites to NASA?s Earth observing, science and interplanetary satellites ? including Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity ? to vital commercial communication and imaging satellites, the Delta II rocket has justly earned its place in space history.

ICESat-2, with its single instrument, the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS), will provide scientists with height measurements to create a global portrait of Earth?s third dimension, gathering data that can precisely track changes of terrain including glaciers, sea ice, forests and more. Northrop Grumman built the spacecraft. In addition to ICESat-2, this mission includes four CubeSats which will launch from dispensers mounted to the Delta II second stage. 

This mission will launch aboard a Delta II 7420-10 configuration rocket, which includes a 10-foot-diameter payload fairing (PLF). The booster for this mission is powered by the RS-27A engine and the second stage is powered by the AJ10-118K engine.
 
To date ULA has a track record of 100% mission success with 129 successful launches.

With more than a century of combined heritage, United Launch Alliance is the nation?s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 125 satellites to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field and enable personal device-based GPS navigation. 
 
For more information on ULA, visit the ULA website at www.ulalaunch.com , or call the ULA Launch Hotline at 1-877-ULA-4321 (852-4321). Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/ulalaunch , twitter.com/ulalaunch and instagram.com/ulalaunch . 

From launch-alert at mailman.qth.net  Wed Sep 12 22:27:26 2018
From: launch-alert at mailman.qth.net (Launch Alert)
Date: Wed, 12 Sep 2018 19:27:26 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Launch Alert] Saturday Vandenberg Launch
Message-ID: <938688604.19042.1536805646429@wamui-jelly.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

     
                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
			      Brian Webb
		  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
	                www.spacearchive.info
		       
			   2018 September 12 (Wednesday) 19:17 PDT
----------------------------------------------------------------------

                     SATURDAY VANDENBERG LAUNCH
                           by Brian Webb

A Delta II rocket carrying a NASA satellite is scheduled for launch
from Vandenberg AFB, California this Saturday morning (September 15)
during a 05:46-06:26 PDT launch window.

Following liftoff from Space Launch Complex 2-West, the rocket will
climb vertically for several seconds before beginning a gradual turn
towards the south. If the launch goes as planned, the Delta will place
NASA's IceSat-2 elevation measuring satellite into orbit.

Weather permitting, the early portion of the launch could be visible
to the unaided eye as far away as Santa Rosa, Marysville, Fresno,
Bakersfield, San Bernardino, and Mexicali, California and Ensenada,
Mexico. Observers located further east may have difficulty seeing the
launch because of the brightness of the sky from the approaching
sunrise.

The vehicle's flame will initially be a bright orange color due to the
four solid rocket motors (SRMs) strapped to the rocket's first stage.
Following SRM burnout and jettison, the spent motors will continue to
burn as they tumble and fall away and may appear to flash. Meanwhile,
the rocket's first stage engine will continue running and the Delta
will resemble a slowly moving white star until Main Engine Cutoff
(MECO) near stage 1/stage 2 separation.

If the launch happens early in the window, a Twilight Effect will not
occur because it's too early for the Delta to catch the sun's rays
during the first stage burn. However, observers in dark locations may
still be able to see the dim, tenuous exhaust plume behind the rocket.
A photograph of a Delta II launch under similar lighting conditions (a
dawn launch, but too long before sunrise for a Twilight Effect) is
posted at http://www.spacearchive.info/delta-ii-iridium-ms-11.htm.

However, there is still an opportunity for a Twilight Effect to happen.
If liftoff takes place at 06:00, the vehicle will enter sunlight at T+
3 minutes 55 seconds (near the end of the first stage burn). A 06:26
PDT liftoff has the Delta entering sunlight much earlier at T+ 1 minute
45 seconds. Even if a Twilight Effect occurs, it will probably be
underwhelming since the sunlight will be reflecting off of the plume
(a dusk Twilight Effect tends to be more impressive because the
sunlight shines through the exhaust plume as seen from the western U.S.
and Mexico).

If you plan to view the launch near the coast, be aware there's a real
possibility the event could be obscured by low clouds or fog. For the
best view, find an observing site above the haze or marine layer with
an unobstructed horizon towards the launch site and downrange ocean
area.

Regardless of where you plan to go to view the launch, allow yourself
enough time to get there well before liftoff. After you arrive, be
aware of your surroundings and possible hazards such as traffic.

For launch status and countdown information, go to:

     https://spaceflightnow.com 

     https://www.nasa.gov/live/

     https://www.ulalaunch.com

For information on viewing Vandenberg rocket and missile launches, go
to:

     www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

If you plan to use an Internet countdown feed for launch event cueing,
be aware the feed may be delayed by more than a minute. Instead, use a
GPS receiver or another source such as the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (www.time.gov) to obtain the exact time.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                             QUESTIONS?

Because of time limitations and other priorities, I am unable to
answer reader questions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2018, Brian Webb. All rights reserved. No portion of this
newsletter may be used without identifying Launch Alert as the
source and providing a functioning hyperlink or text that point to
http://www.spacearchive.info/newsletter.htm.

From launch-alert at mailman.qth.net  Sat Sep 15 00:08:22 2018
From: launch-alert at mailman.qth.net (Launch Alert)
Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2018 21:08:22 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Launch Alert] Launch on Schedule
Message-ID: <657009518.17926.1536984502350@wamui-eagle.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

Saturday morning's launch of a Delta II rocket from Vandenberg AFB appears to be on schedule. The launch window is 05:46-06:26 PDT.

From launch-alert at mailman.qth.net  Sat Sep 15 10:05:32 2018
From: launch-alert at mailman.qth.net (Launch Alert)
Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2018 07:05:32 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Launch Alert] Delta II Launched
Message-ID: <1505903292.1149.1537020333076@wamui-kristoff.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

A Delta II rocket carrying NASA's IceSat-2 spacecraft was launched at 06:02 PDT/13:02 UTC this morning from Vandenberg AFB.

The launch put on a nice visual display. Many thanks to Rick Baldridge for his computer simulations of the lighting conditions for this launch. They were an important part of my launch visibility forecast.

Brian Webb

From launch-alert at mailman.qth.net  Sun Sep 16 14:31:23 2018
From: launch-alert at mailman.qth.net (Launch Alert)
Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2018 11:31:23 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Launch Alert] Vandenberg AFB Launch Schedule
Message-ID: <2089162131.3450.1537122684169@wamui-abby.atl.sa.earthlink.net>


                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
			      Brian Webb
		  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
	                www.spacearchive.info
		       
                              2018 September 16 (Sunday) 11:27 PDT
----------------------------------------------------------------------

		   VANDENBERG AFB LAUNCH SCHEDULE

		     Launch
		   Time/Window
  Date              (PST/PDT)               Vehicle          Pad/Silo
--------        -----------------        -------------       --------

OCT 7           Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch Argentina's SAOCOM-1A satellite

NOV             Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch Iridium NEXT satellites 66-75

NOV             Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch several SSO-A satellites

NOV             Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch three RADARSAT earth imaging satellites for Canada

DEC 3           Unknown                  Delta IV Heavy      SLC-6
Vehicle will launch the NROL-71 payload for the U.S. National
Reconnaissance Office

The above schedule is a composite of unclassified information
approved for public release from government, industry, and other
sources. It represents the Editor's best effort to produce a schedule,
but may disagree with other sources. Details on military launches are
withheld until they are approved for public release. For official
information regarding Vandenberg AFB activities, go to
http://www.vandenberg.af.mil.

All launch dates and times are given in Pacific Time using a 24-hour
format similar to military time (midnight = 00:00, 1:00 p.m. = 13:00,
11:00 p.m. = 23:00, etc.). 

The dates and times in this schedule may not agree with those on other
online launch schedules, including the official Vandenberg AFB
schedule because different sources were used, the information was
interpreted differently, and the schedules were updated at different
times.

NET: No earlier than

TBD: To be determined

PDT: Pacific Daylight Time

PST: Pacific Standard Time

SLC: Space Launch Complex

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                        JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY

Just out of curiosity, were any of you associated with the Missile
Assist Team (also known as "The MAT Team") or the AIM-7, AIM-9, or
AIM-54 communities?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                           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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2018, Brian Webb. All rights reserved. No portion of this
newsletter may be used without identifying Launch Alert as the
source and providing a functioning hyperlink or text that point to
http://www.spacearchive.info/newsletter.htm.

From launch-alert at mailman.qth.net  Fri Sep 28 10:30:07 2018
From: launch-alert at mailman.qth.net (Launch Alert)
Date: Fri, 28 Sep 2018 07:30:07 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Launch Alert] Space Lecture
Message-ID: <1768973922.2733.1538145007609@wamui-koala.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

The Ventura County Astronomical Society provided the following item about a lecture scheduled for Saturday in Ventura, Calif:

Space Craft:100 Iconic Rockets, Shuttles, and Satellites That Put Us in Space
Saturday, Sept. 29 -  1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
E.P. Foster? Topping Assembly Room

Join Michael Gorn - a noted aerospace historian, author, and former Chief Historian of the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center for a brief, entertaining look at how the U.S. and the rest of the world have explored the cosmos during the space age.

E.P.FOSTER Branch Library
651 E. MAIN ST.
Visit us at vencolibrary.org 

From launch-alert at mailman.qth.net  Sun Sep 30 16:49:03 2018
From: launch-alert at mailman.qth.net (Launch Alert)
Date: Sun, 30 Sep 2018 13:49:03 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: [Launch Alert] Vandenberg AFB Launch Schedule
Message-ID: <1787692228.4622.1538340543376@wamui-abby.atl.sa.earthlink.net>

 
                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
			      Brian Webb
		  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
	                www.spacearchive.info
		       
                              2018 September 30 (Sunday) 13:45 PDT
----------------------------------------------------------------------

		   VANDENBERG AFB LAUNCH SCHEDULE

        Note: All launch dates and times are subject to change

		     Launch
		   Time/Window
  Date              (PST/PDT)               Vehicle          Pad/Silo
--------        -----------------        -------------       --------

OCT 6           Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch Argentina's SAOCOM-1A satellite

NOV             Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch Iridium NEXT satellites 66-75

NOV             Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch several satellites as part of the SSO-A mission

NOV             Unknown                  Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch three RADARSAT earth imaging satellites for Canada

DEC 3           Unknown                  Delta IV Heavy      SLC-6
Vehicle will launch the NROL-71 payload for the U.S. National
Reconnaissance Office

The above schedule is a composite of unclassified information
approved for public release from government, industry, and other
sources. It represents the Editor's best effort to produce a schedule,
but may disagree with other sources. Details on military launches are
withheld until they are approved for public release. For official
information regarding Vandenberg AFB activities, go to
http://www.vandenberg.af.mil.

All launch dates and times are given in Pacific Time using a 24-hour
format similar to military time (midnight = 00:00, 1:00 p.m. = 13:00,
11:00 p.m. = 23:00, etc.). 

The dates and times in this schedule may not agree with those on other
online launch schedules, including the official Vandenberg AFB
schedule because different sources were used, the information was
interpreted differently, and the schedules were updated at different
times.

PDT: Pacific Daylight Time

PST: Pacific Standard Time

SLC: Space Launch Complex

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                             QUESTIONS?

Because of time limitations and other priorities, I am unable to
answer reader questions.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

                           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.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright 2018, Brian Webb. All rights reserved. No portion of this
newsletter may be used without identifying Launch Alert as the
source and providing a functioning hyperlink or text that point to
http://www.spacearchive.info/newsletter.htm.

