WIRE still a GO

Matson, Robert (ROBERT.D.MATSON@cpmx.saic.com)
Mon, 1 Mar 1999 16:08:49 -0800

The Pegasus launch of WIRE off the coast of California is
still a GO as of 3:40 pm PST.  The nominal L-1011 drop time
is 18:57 PST, but may occur anytime from 18:51 to 19:01 PST.
Assuming an on-time launch, the launch vehicle will become
sunlit around 18:59:15, which is about 45 seconds after 2nd
stage ignition.  In other words, the 2nd stage contrail will
be illuminated by the sun.

So there should be a nice, nearly horizontal streak across
the sky, starting in the vicinity of Venus and growing to
the left.  Differential upper atmospheric wind speeds will
soon distort the contrail into the familiar "squiggly" path
that southern Californians have grown accustomed to.  --Rob