FreeLists / az-observing / [AZ-Observing] Re: Titan IV Launch from VAFB

["Neville Cole" <nevillecole@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris,

If you didn't see much from Carlsbad, that would explain why I didn't see 
anything at all from Phoenix!  Not like the dusk launch from a few weeks 
ago, which was very cool.

Neville


----Original Message Follows----
From: Christopher Watson <skygx@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Reply-To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
To: AZ-Observing <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [AZ-Observing] Titan IV Launch from VAFB
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 11:22:58 -0700 (GMT-07:00)

From a high bluff in Carlsbad, CA, with unobstructed NW view of the coast, I 
watched the launch of the last of the Titan IV vehicles from Vandeberg AFB 
this morning.  The first evidence of a exhaust plume was seen at 11:04:55, 
as it climbed above the light cloud bank hugging the coast.  Nothing but 
grey-white smoke against a light blue sky.  I saw the trail quickly 
extending toward the WSW, with no hint of any flame point.  At about 
11:06:25 I saw a burst of yellow-orange light at the tip of the exhaust 
trail which lasted about 3 seconds.  Probably a stage burnout and 
separation.  After that, no further flame detections, and the trail quickly 
became too difficult to detect against the bright sky.  After about 11:08, 
there was no telling a rocket had launched.  This was my first day launch 
observation.  All my others have been duck or night launches.  I'd have to 
say that the presence of the Sun creates a very underwhelming experience.

Christopher Watson
Carlsbad, CA


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