Tomorrow Vandenberg AFB will be launching the largest rocket ever launched from the west coast. You may hear it rather than see it......
DELTA IV HEAVY LAUNCH SCHEDULED
Vandenberg AFB News Release
2011 January 18
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - The first West Coast Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle is scheduled to launch from Space Launch Complex-6 here Jan. 20 at 1:08 p.m. PST.
This will be the largest rocket ever to launch from the West Coast of the United States.
"This launch marks a significant milestone in our nation's space capability" said Lt. Col. Brady Hauboldt, launch director. "We've really restored a national capability for heavy lift on the Western
Range, something we have not had since the last of the Titan IV-Bs flew out of Vandenberg. This extends our ability to cost effectively deliver payloads of all sizes and compliments."
The launch follows three years of preparations and $100 million in base infrastructure upgrades at SLC-6. It makes Vandenberg unique in providing the full spectrum of space lift capability delivering
payloads of all sizes to orbit aboard the Minotaur through Delta II, Atlas V and now the Delta IV, said Hauboldt.
While this is the first Delta IV HLV from Vandenberg, it will be the fifth in the program's history. The first launch occurred in January 2004 from the East Coast.
The rocket will carry a national security payload for the NRO.
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LAUNCH VISIBILITY AND VIEWING
The Delta IV Heavy slated to lift-off from Vandenberg AFB on Thursday is a rocket enormous size and power. For observers in close proximity to the launch pad at south base, the launch should be impressive.
However, for observers further away, the display will be more subdued because of the propellants the rocket uses and the time of day.
The Delta IV Heavy launch vehicle consists of three liquid oxygen and hydrogen fueled Delta IV rockets that are joined together. The vehicle does not use any solid fuel rocket motors.
Unlike solid fuel rockets or liquid fuel rockets that use solid fuel strap-on motors for extra thrust, vehicles that rely entirely on liquid propellants produce very little to no smoke trail. Such vehicles may create a contrail when they pass through an area of the atmosphere called the contrail zone, but this only lasts several seconds.
Burning solid rocket fuel produces a tremendous amount of light. Burning liquid rocket propellants, on the other hand, also produce light, but the amount is much less and the flame is semi-transparent or clear.
The fact that the launch is scheduled for the early afternoon will further impact launch viewing. The Sun will be high above the horizon and the launch will occur against a bright sky background. This will greatly reduce the maximum launch viewing distance.
Taking the above factors into account, persons without prior knowledge of the launch may accidentally see it with the naked eye as far away
as 25 miles. People who are specifically looking for the launch may be able to see it without optical assistance as far away as 50 miles.
Observers using binoculars or a telescope could possibly see the launch as far away as 100 miles provided they look at the right area of the sky at the right time.
People within 50 miles of the launch site or the Delta IV Heavy's flight path should be able to hear the launch. In outlying areas, the sound will probably arrive a few minutes after liftoff and consist of a low frequency rumble.
The best place to view the launch will probably be near the south end of the base. The idea is to get as close to the launch site as possible while avoiding trespassing on government or private property and staying clear of any low clouds or fog.
Regarding viewing areas, Vandenberg AFB Public Affairs recommends the public go to Surf Beach to view the launch. But to hear the countdown
net they need to go to the Corral Road viewing location. Maps are located on the Vandenberg AFB Public Affairs Facebook page at:
www.facebook.com/30thSpaceWing
The launch should be visible to the naked eye provided you are close enough. For better view, use binoculars (tripod mounted binoculars are even better). Perhaps the best instrument for viewing the launch is an astronomical telescope. Astronomical telescopes are especially well suited for launch viewing and may provide an impressive view of the
Delta IV Heavy in flight.
Regardless of where you go to view the launch, park safely, be aware of traffic or any other hazards, and obey the instructions of military and public safety personnel.
