Minotaur/JAWSAT Launch Obs

From: Brian Webb (102670.1206@compuserve.com)
Date: Thu Jan 27 2000 - 19:08:03 PST

  • Next message: finn@main.jetnet.ab.ca: "Re: Jawsat Obs"

    I observed last night's Minotaur/JAWSAT launch from Thousand Oaks,
    California which is 169 km (105 mi) southeast of the launch pad. The sky
    had minimal cloudcover and very little haze (very good conditions).
    
    The launch took place much earlier than the 03:13:49 UTC target time
    provided by SSI (the launch services contractor). Luckily, a ham radio
    operator came on our Vandenberg Launch Net and provided us with T-3 minutes
    and T-20 seconds time hacks.
    
    The Minotaur climbed much more steeply than previous Delta II and Taurus
    launches (those vehicles really fly mostly horizontal trajectories.
    
    The first, second, and third stage burns looked like a typical ICBM launch.
    However, right after stage 3 burnout, a glowing, expanding cloud appeared.
    This might have been caused by the exhaust molecules moving up and hitting
    sunlight.
    
    I warned the other hams on our launch net to stand by because there might
    be a fourth stage burn in a few minutes and that it might have a comet-like
    appearance.
    
    A few minutes later...bingo! A bright manmade comet appeared about 10
    degrees above the southern horizon. I shot several some 5, 6, and 7 second
    exposures with the "comet" and the lights of Thousand Oaks and car lights
    on highway 23 in the foreground. Hopefully, I'll get a got photo from that
    series of exposures.
    
    Regards,
    
    Brian Webb
    
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