[FPSPACE] FW: [Launch Alert] Successful Launch

[LARRY KLAES]

>From: "Brian Webb" <kd6nrp at earthlink.net>
>Reply-To: kd6nrp at earthlink.net
>To: "Launch Alert" <launch-alert at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: [Launch Alert] Successful Launch
>Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 05:11:38 -0700
>
>
>                              LAUNCH ALERT
>
>			           Brian Webb
>		         Ventura County, California
>		        E-mail: kd6nrp at earthlink.net
>	         Web Site: http://www.spacearchive.info
>
>				              2006 April 28 (Friday) 05:09 PDT
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>                      DELTA II LAUNCH SUCCESSFUL
>                      Vandenberg AFB News Release
>
>VANDENBERG AFB, Calif. – Vandenberg AFB launched a Delta II rocket
>today at 3:02 a.m.  The rocket took off from Space Launch Complex-2
>carrying NASA’s CloudSat and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared
>Pathfinder Satellite Observations, or CALIPSO, satellites.
>
>The rocket carries the CloudSat and CALIPSO satellites into a 438-mile
>circular sun-synchronous orbit.
>
>Col. Jack Weinstein, 30th Space Wing commander, was the spacelift
>commander for this mission, or final go-for-launch authority. Chuck
>Dovale was NASA’s launch manager, for the mission.
>
>"This was our third launch this month and it is a testament to the
>tremendous team effort between NASA, the 30th Space Wing and our
>industry partners," Colonel Weinstein said. "We have one opportunity
>to be successful with each launch so 100 percent mission success is
>our standard."
>
>The primary role of the 6,248-pound spacecraft is to gather
>information about the Earth’s water cycle. Together, CALIPSO and
>CloudSat will provide new perspectives on Earth’s clouds and aerosols,
>answering questions about how they form, evolve and affect water
>supply, climate, weather and air quality.
>
>The Delta II is an expendable launch, medium-lift vehicle. It carries
>civil and commercial payloads into low-earth, polar, geosynchronous
>transfer and stationary orbits.
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>                          LAUNCH OBSERVATION
>
>Carmelita Miranda of Fillmore, California saw this morning's launch
>and provided the following report:
>
>"I saw the really pretty launch from our backyard, next to our
>observatory, in Fillmore. I didn't have time to set up any camera but
>watched the launch with binoculars (12x50). After clearing my
>observable horizon, I saw a beautiful red, more crimson in color,
>exhaust from the rocket...very nice. I followed the rocket and saw the
>second stage ignite, and the "sideways" looking star-burst pattern
>from the ignition. Very nice but nearing the southwest horizon. I
>followed as far down range as far as I could see before disappearing
>off into the distance. I noted the time of 03:07:50. Nice launch.
>Good to have it go, finally!"
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Copyright © 2006 Brian Webb. All rights reserved. This newsletter may
>be distributed in its entirety without restriction. Excerpts may be
>not be reprinted or posted elsewhere without prior permission.
>
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