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![Anthony-Galvan-III-6-15-10-minuteman-8X_1276692519_med.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.spaceweather.com%2Fsubmissions%2Fpics%2Fa%2FAnthony-Galvan-III-6-15-10-minuteman-8X_1276692519_med.jpg&hash=a73eed2f6c30e1c6ce15c884df5f7200)
CALFORNIA ROCKET: Last night, sleepless sky watchers in California witnessed a bright light streak across the sky. It was not a meteor. "A unarmed Minuteman III rocket was launched from Vandenberg AFB at 3:01 PDT," reports Anthony Galvan III who took this picture from his backyard in Goleta, CA. "The missile's target was near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, 4190 miles from the launch site."
http://spaceweather.com/
6/15/2010 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 576th Flight Test Squadron will launch its first unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile here since the squadron was gained by Air Force Global Strike Command. The launch will take place June 16 between 3:01 a.m. and 9:01 a.m.
The MMIII test launch, configured with a joint test assembly, will determine the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle is expected to travel approximately 4,190 miles, hitting a pre-determined target near the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
"Our team is dedicated to ensuring a safe and effective combat-ready ICBM force that convinces potential adversaries of our unwavering commitment to defend our nation, its allies and friends," said Col. Carl DeKemper, the 576th FLTS commander. "Our dedication to this mission continues as proud members of Air Force Global Strike Command."
The ICBM community, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy, will use the data collected from this mission for continuing force development evaluation.
http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/news/story ... =123209200
Isn't the Kwajalein Atoll where SpaceX launches its Falcon1 rockets from? Hope they didn't have any personnel in the area...
Anyone find it strange that they were "testing" a Minuteman III? It's hardly a new rocket, aren't they thoroughly aware of its capabilities already?