[Launch Alert] Saturday Launch Update

[Launch Alert]

                             LAUNCH ALERT
 				  
			      Brian Webb
		  launch-alert-editor at earthlink.net
	                www.spacearchive.info
		       
			       2020 November 20 (Friday) 10:52 PST
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                     SATURDAY LAUNCH VISIBILITY
                           by Brian Webb
                         2020 November 20

(NOV 20) Saturday morning's scheduled launch of a Falcon 9 rocket from
Vandenberg AFB appears to be on schedule. Plans call for the rocket to
lift off from Space Launch Complex 4-East on south Vandenberg at 9:17
PST. Following liftoff, the Falcon 9 will rise vertically for several
seconds before it gradually pitches over and heads towards the
south-southwest as it parallels the coast. If the launch goes as
planned, the rocket will place NASA's Sentinel 6 sea level-measuring
satellite into orbit.

If the sky is clear, the first few minutes of the launch should be
visible to the unaided eye along the coast from San Luis Obispo to
Malibu and inland as far as Santa Paula, Moorpark, and Newbury Park.
Observers in outlying areas may also be able to see the launch
provided they know exactly where to look and have an unobstructed
horizon.

For countdown status and video coverage of the launch, go to:

https://nasa.gov/live

https://youtube.com/NASA

https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html#public

https://spaceflightnow.com/

During previous launches video feeds have been up to a minute behind,
so don't rely on them to know when events such as liftoff are
scheduled to occur.

For information about the mission, go to:

https://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/jason-cs-sentinel-6/summary/

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      SPACEX TO LAUNCH SENTINEL-6 SATELLITE FROM VANDENBERG AFB
                   30th Space Wing Public Affairs
                          2020 November 18

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Team Vandenberg and SpaceX are
scheduled to launch the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite
Saturday, Nov. 21 at 9:17 a.m., from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The
Sentinel-6 is the first of two identical satellites to head into Earth
orbit five years apart to continue sea level observations for at least
the next decade.

Upon the re-entry of the vehicle, spectators and local residents from
Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties can anticipate to
hear multiple sonic booms, as the vehicle breaks the sound barrier.

A sonic boom is the sound associated with the shock waves from an
aircraft or launch vehicle traveling faster than the speed of sound.
Sonic booms generate a sound similar to an explosion or a clap of
thunder. The sonic boom experienced will depend on weather conditions
and other factors.

The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will head into orbit on a
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg. The
launch is managed by NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at the
agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA's Jet Propulsion
Laboratory manages the agency's contribution to the mission.

In compliance with COVID-19 restrictions, the normal public viewing
area on Azalea Lane off of Hwy 1 just a half mile south of Vandenberg
Air Force Base's main gate will not be open to the public.

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                             QUESTIONS?

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

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