Re: Rocket Burn Visibility

Philip Chien (kc4yer@amsat.org)
Sat, 10 Jul 1999 00:42:21 -0400

I've seen burns under somewhat more unusual circumstances.  Besides the
obvious first stage burns from launch through when the rocket goes out of
site ....

If a launch occurs before dawn or after sunset then the geometry results in
the rocket launching from darkness in to sunlight once it gets above the
Earth's shadow.  Under these conditions the second stages of the Deltas and
Atlases are *extremely* impressive to view - a wispy cloud which expands
gradually - almost like a supernova remnant in appearance.

The exhausts do the same thing on every launch, but it's only when the
exhaust products are in sunlight and the sky's still fairly dark that this
phenomena is visible.

More often than not there are reports that the rocket has blown up - even
though it's functioning perfectly.



Philip Chien, KC4YER
Earth News
world (in)famous writer, science fiction fan, ham radio operator,
all-around nice guy, etc.