Activity at the Cape this AM

[ms1]

I am new here, and hoping to be able to share some insight while learning 100x's what I can contribute.

I recently moved to Titusville and live directly on the Indian River due east of KSC, with an excellent view from about 100 ft up. It is facinating to watch the activity across the lagoon!

This morning I noticed a very lit up area which appears to be on of the AFS launch facilities with a vehicle on the pad. Unfortunately, a rain shower quickly moved in and obscured the view before I was able to get a telescope on it.

It is unusual for anything in that area to be lit. Usually it is just the shuttle pads on the night prior to launch... except the Aries, which is lit up like a Christmas tree since arrival on the pad!

Is there anything scheduled for today? It appears from a quick view to be a short distance southeast from the VAB, but not as far as some Delta launches I have observed, if that helps! Could the Falcon 9 be ahead of schedule???

 

[MeteorWayne]

It's probably related to the upcoming Ares 1X launch next Tuesday, though I don't know for sure. Take alook at that thread.
Welcome to Space.com!

Wayne

 

[ms1]

Wayne,

Thank you for the reply~

No, it is not the Aries. That is the pad closest to me, and I can clearly see the rocket extending high above the pad. They recently put up new 600' lightning towers around it, which are lit at night. With the spotlighting on the rocket and the lights on the new towers, the sight is quite spectacular at night. Sadly, the shuttle is sitting on it's pad, with nothing but aircraft warning strobes illuminating it.

What I saw this morning is several miles to the south of the shuttle pads, clearly and brightly lit in the predawn hours. It is also a bit north of where I have seen Delta launches originate. This is the first I have seen any launch site lit with the exception of the shuttle area and the Aries. I'll check it tonight and report back.

Activity around the pads has been buzzing the past several days. Helicopter patrols are frequent, and I have seen many touch-and-go landings of small jets on the shuttle landing strip. Training flights for the shuttle pilots perhaps?