[Scan-DC] Minotaur Launch - visible from Beltsville/Silver Spring MD

[Rick Hansen]

It was visible at 11:28PM, heading roughly northward, and it looks like the
first stage burned out just as it became visible. The 2nd stage started a
few seconds later and was visible from 11:28PM to 11:30PM, when it burned
out. It looked like you could see smoke in the sky behind the 1st and 2nd
stages. No sight of the 3rd stage. The rocket burned with an orange light,
and the smoke trails looked like a dark patch in the sky, just a little
brighter than the background. It would have been spectacular away from city
lights. 


Also - Those ICMB motors get the payload into orbit quickly.

 

May we all listen well and often,


R.