Oct. 18 Atlas 5 - DMSP F18

[Zipi]

Oct. 18 Atlas 5 - DMSP F18
Launch time: 16:12-16:22 GMT (12:12-12:22 p.m. EDT)
Launch site: SLC-3E, Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

The United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket (AV-017) will launch the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program 18 spacecraft for the U.S. Air Force. Built by Lockheed Martin, this polar-orbiting weather satellite will be used by the military for global weather forecasting. The rocket will fly in the 401 vehicle configuration with a four-meter fairing, no strap-on solid rocket booster and a single-engine Centaur upper stage.

Live video stream starts 20min before launch and it can be seen from: http://www.ulalaunch.com/index_webcast.html

If launch gets scrubbed they will try again at the same time next day.

 

[Zipi]

A liitle more than one hour to the scheduled Atlas 5 launch time. SDC live coverage: http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/sf ... tdown.html

 

[Zipi]

Direct stream link: http://mfile.akamai.com/29730/live/refl ... 680&prop=n
(you might have to copy & paste this to your media player to make it work)

 

[MeteorWayne]

I'm watching it here:

http://www.ulalaunch.com/AtlasV_DMSP_F18.html

L- 14 minutes.

It's a foggy morning at Vandenberg!!

 

[MeteorWayne]

All go to pick up the count in a minute.

First stage burns 4 minutes, then the Centaur for about 11. The sat separates about 3 minutes after the Centaur shuts down.

 

[MeteorWayne]

T - 1 minute

 

[Zipi]

And here is the Youtube video:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5758RBjNJvg[/youtube]

 

[MeteorWayne]

Spacecraft separation confirmed; a successful launch.