[AZ-Observing] Re: Titan IV Launch from VAFB
- From: "Neville Cole" <nevillecole@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 11:47:04 -0700
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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