Rocket carrying military satellite launches, displays colors

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE – A rocket carrying a military research satellite blasted off Thursday, dazzling spectators from California to Arizona with a rainbow of colors as it streaked across the sky at dusk.
The Minotaur rocket carrying a DARPA payload launched into orbit at 7:24 p.m. from Vandenberg Air Force Base, said Maj. Todd Fleming.

DARPA is the research and development arm of the Pentagon. The 920-pound "Streak" payload will stay in orbit for a year, gathering information about the Earth's environment in low orbit. The mission's cost is classified.

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pretty cool colors

my favorite part is the fact its a DARPA funded project, yet its mission is to "gather[ing] information about the Earth's environment in low orbit".



riiiiight ... a weather satellite ...

[edit on 22-9-2005 by purelogik]

Hey, the Weather is a crucial factor in war...

That said, I doubt it was a weather sat

Cool anyone know the name of the satellite? I cant get the link to work and I want to see if I can track it with J-Track

Here is a link to the Vandenburg rocket used and the launch itself.
Rocket Description

Launch Descriptions

I happened to be outside getting ready to leave the house when I saw it in the SW sky. My first rationalization was a meteor, then I realized where it appeared in the sky logically meant somthing launched from Vandenburg AFB. About a minute after I first spotted it - I saw the rocket trail cease - a puff of white - then what continued on looked like a comet. It was a giant conical shape - I assume I saw the separation of the secondary booster OR I saw the capsule itself being sent into space. VERY interesting to say the least. The trails didnt dissapate for quite some time. It was night when I saw it - the trail was so high in the atmosphere it reflected the sunlight and appeared to glow white in the nightime sky. With DARPA being involved I imagine it's payload will be kept secret for a while.

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