Delta-IV Vandenberg launch

Vandenberg AFB is set to launch a Delta-IV carrying the NROL-71 satellite. The satellite mission is classified, but appears to be a Block V KH-11. The launch is set for 8:19 PM (PST) December 7th. The rocket will have three boosters attached.

This will be the 132nd launch for ULA, and the second Delta-IV Heavy in under 4 months.

DELTA IV HEAVY TO LAUNCH NROL-71
• Rocket: Delta IV Heavy
• Mission: NROL-71
• Launch Date: Friday, Dec. 7, 2018
• Launch Time: 8:19 p.m. PST
• Launch Broadcast: Live commentary will begin at 7:59 p.m. PST
• Launch Location: Space Launch Complex 6, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California

www.ulalaunch.com...

a reply to: Zaphod58


I have my own issues with the Div but man that thing is awesome! Great thread!

Nice viewing time. Hopefully we'll get a big colorful exhaust bloom we can see down in Los Angeles. I remember seeing one in the 1990s that looked like a big eyeball in the sky for a while. It was pretty cool.

a reply to: Blue Shift

With it being such a big rocket, you might get a show from it.

originally posted by: Blue Shift
Nice viewing time. Hopefully we'll get a big colorful exhaust bloom we can see down in Los Angeles. I remember seeing one in the 1990s that looked like a big eyeball in the sky for a while. It was pretty cool.

Sauron!

Those polar orbit launches are always fun. Wish I was on the left coast to see one, though I guess I will have to make due with a visit to the cape instead one of these days.

Also A fun little fact, SpaceX's launch today was originally going to be a RTLS for the first stage, but due to this launch it was forced to a sea landing about 20 miles off the coast.

lot of cool stuff going on at that base

used to grab a bottle of wine and watch the night-ops from a secret beach in santa barbara with my ex

a reply to: dubiousatworst

Those polar orbit launches are always fun. Wish I was on the left coast to see one, though I guess I will have to make due with a visit to the cape instead one of these days.

Here on right coast can sometimes see launches from Mid Atlantic Missile facility at Wallops Island Viginia

Resupply missions to ISS which has high inclination trajectory

The launch was delayed last night. They're going to try again tonight at 8:06 PM(PST).

a reply to: Zaphod58

I was up at Vandenberg yesterday to visit Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6) and watch the Mobile Service Tower roll back from the launch pad. The weather was perfect and I got a lot of good pictures of the Delta IV-Heavy from a variety of angles.

Last night's scrub was a disappointment. I considered staying up there for the next launch attempt but ultimately decided not to. SLC-6 is not visible from any point on base or nearby because it sits in kind of a natural bowl. You have to wait until the rocket clears the hills before you see it. If it's a night launch, that means you will just see the bright flames and not the vehicle itself. Previously, I saw a couple of Delta IV-Heavy launches in the daytime and they were awesome. Night launches are always a spectacle but sometimes distance provides better photo opportunities. I'll watch the NROL-71 flight from the desert tonight.

a reply to: Shadowhawk

I'm in Quartzsite, AZ tonight. We caught a Falcon launch from here one night. I'm hoping we'll see this one too.

a reply to: Zaphod58

Friendly reminder...
ULA Delta 4 Heavy
Live....
m.youtube.com...

Went into a hold at T-0:07. Not looking good for tonight.

ETA- Launch officially scrubbed.

December 18th at 5:57 PST will be the next launch attempt.

originally posted by: Zaphod58
December 18th at 5:57 PST will be the next launch attempt.

I'll make a note of it. It was overcast where I was on the 8th. Maybe I'll get another chance to see it.

Although, I trained as a Missile Launch Officer at Vandeberg, and got to see one go up from inside the base. Very noisy.

a reply to: Blue Shift

My brother in law was there years ago launching mostly one off classified payloads. Every single one he was involved with blew up.

There is an 80% chance of scrubbing on Tuesday due to surface winds. There's an 80% chance of favorable conditions Wednesday.

This morning will see SpaceX launch a brand new Falcon 9 with the first GPS III satellite for the Air Force at 0911 EST, followed 19 minutes later by Blue Origin launching their New Shepard capsule on its 10th test flight from Van Horn, Texas at 0930 EST. At 1137 EST, an Arianspace Soyuz will launch the CSO-1 spy satellite for the French military from French Guiana. Then tonight, NROL-71 will attempt to launch.

SpaceX and Blue Origin web links:

www.space.com...
www.spacex.com...
www.blueorigin.com...

Arianspace launch:
www.arianespace.com...

NROL-71:
www.ulalaunch.com...

originally posted by: Zaphod58
This morning will see SpaceX launch a brand new Falcon 9 with the first GPS III satellite for the Air Force at 0911 EST, followed 19 minutes later by Blue Origin launching their New Shepard capsule on its 10th test flight from Van Horn, Texas at 0930 EST. At 1137 EST, an Arianspace Soyuz will launch the CSO-1 spy satellite for the French military from French Guiana. Then tonight, NROL-71 will attempt to launch.

SpaceX and Blue Origin web links:

www.space.com...
www.spacex.com...
www.blueorigin.com...

Arianspace launch:
www.arianespace.com...

NROL-71:
www.ulalaunch.com...