Hi.All I had an interesting observation right at around sunset this evening around 00:40UT 10/12/2007 of a atmospheric satellite (research balloon).Not uncommon here in far west Texas but this balloon's envelope exploded.In my 10x50 binoculars I could see many fragments of the balloon's envelope and a cloud left over by the explosion and also observed the payload falling away from the balloon fragments.I check the NASA launch site Fort Sumner in New Mexico to see if they had anything flying but they had nothing up since 10/4/2007.Also checked the New Mexico State University to see if they were flying but I could find an posting for a launch.I am guessing this may have came out of the White Sands Missile Range but most likely could not get them to tell anyone if they had any balloon flying.National Security and all that.One interesting note is it look very much to me that the payload parachute did not fully deploy or at least as long as I observed it.Very Cool! Thomas Dorman Horizon City,Texas 31*39.763'N,106*10.690' Elevation:1232 meters ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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