[Launch Alert] Launch On Schedule

[Launch Alert]

LAUNCH ON SCHEDULE

Sunday morning's (January 29) Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg SFB, Calif. appears to be on schedule for 08:47 PST.

Following liftoff, the vehicle will fly southward as it carries several Starlink commercial Internet satellites into orbit. The initial portion of the launch could be visible to the unaided eye within 100 statute miles of the launch site and either side of the first stage's flight path.

The rocket's exact direction of flight has not been determined, but if it roughly parallels the coast, people in coastal Ventura County may hear a sonic boom, distant rumble, or both. These sounds may not be heard until 10 minutes or more after liftoff.

Countdown status and video feeds of the launch may be available from the following sources:

https://www.spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=starlink-2-6-pre-launch

https://spaceflightnow.com


ON THE WEB

A radio news story about last month's SWOT satellite launch from Vandenberg SFB has been posted online. To hear the story, go to:

https://www.spacearchive.info/falcon-9-swot.mp3


For those of you who are vintage space enthusiasts, you might want enjoy YouTube's CBS TV news coverage of the 1966 Gemini 9 mission (which includes some classic TV commercials). Here's a summary of the coverage:

Launch

This coverage includes video and audio from the top of the launch pad as astronauts Stafford and Cernan enter their spacecraft. If you listen carefully, you might hear a voice with a German accent. That's probably pad leader Gunter Wendt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZliTCg5Wm8

Spacewalk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-tgNX_qock

Reentry and Splashdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ov763Tzkqbo