Fwd: Launch Gallery: Delta 4 Sends Military Satellite to Orbit

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From: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Date: August 11, 2013 1:46:14 PM GMT-06:00
To: "Gary Johnson" <gjohnson144@comcast.net>
Subject: FW: Launch Gallery: Delta 4 Sends Military Satellite to Orbit

 

AmericaSpace

For a nation that explores
August 11th, 2013

Take Back the Night: Launch Images of Delta IV with WGS-6

By Jason Rhian

 

Photo Credit: Alan Walters / AmericaSpace

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla — On Aug. 7, 2013, the AmericaSpace team headed to meet representatives from the United States Air Force's 45th Space Wing as well as those from United Launch Alliance (ULA) in preparation for the launch of ULA's Delta IV Medium with the Wideband Global Satcom 6 (WGS-6) spacecraft. This was far from our first rodeo, but this launch was not like what we had come to expect. Ordinarily, a smattering of cars dot the roads leading to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and a few media outlets, consisting of  local television stations as well as the "die-hards"—media outlets that almost exclusively cover space matters—are present. Today was a different day. …

Photo Credit: Jason Rhian / AmericaSpace

The exit off of State Road 528, which leads to Cape Canaveral, normally sports a few members of the public who have opted to pull over on the side of the road to watch the spectacle that is launch. For WGS-6, the roads were littered with RVs, car, vans, and other vehicles. Arriving at the meeting point outside the station's gate, the media had also turned out in droves. Some of the "old guard" groused about these newcomers; those with better sense knew that this rebirth of interest, temporary or permanent, is a good thing.

Photo Credit: Mike Howard / Cocoa Beach Photography

The new attendees were beyond enthusiastic. This embittered the old-timers even more. These individuals fought against the inclusion of social media, and here they were again railing against the arrival of newcomers to the scene. It was disappointing. Space—be it new, old, commercial, military, whatever—needs the public and the media in all its forms to be inspired by it, to report on it, and, in so doing, to ignite the imagination of the rest of the nation.

Photo Credit: Jason Rhian / AmericaSpace

The evening's launch was flawless, taking place right on time at 8:29 p.m. EDT. The skies were mostly clear, providing an unparalleled view of the rocket as it thundered aloft. As the four solid rocket motors were jettisoned, they remained visible as they plummeted back to Earth. Then a surprise: two more stars lit up the night. The two halves of the fairing were spiraling away from the upper stage as the spacecraft was being ferried along on its journey to orbit. They remained visible for a long time afterward.

Photo Credit: Alan Walters / AmericaSpace

Since the end of the space shuttle program, the mood in and around Florida's Space Coast has been one of melancholy, of uncertainty as to what the future holds. While the region's recovery is still a ways off, this launch, if only for a little while, pushed back the night and reminded local residents there is a reason why this place is called the "Space Coast."

Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8EPPHYN5XGA

 

Video courtesy of AmericaSpace

Photo Credit: John Studwell / AmericaSpace

This feature is based off the opinions of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of AmericaSpace.

 

 

 

Copyright © 2013 AmericaSpace - All Rights Reserved

 

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Launch Gallery: Delta 4 Sends Military Satellite to Orbit

by Nancy Atkinson on August 8, 2013

 

Clear of the launch utility tower, the Delta IV Medium+ and its WGS-6 payload begin the climb uphill. Credit: John O'Connor/nasatech.net

Who doesn't like a good launch? These images and videos from last night's launch of United Launch Alliance's Delta 4 rocket are just pretty. The rocket boosted an international military communications satellite to orbit following a beautiful night-time launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 8:29 pm EDT on August 7 (00:29 UTC on August 8, 2013). The 21-story-tall Delta 4 included four solid-fuel strap-on boosters for extra oomph. As @OxyAstro said on Twitter last night, "I like to think of the Delta IV as an apartment building sitting on a few million lbs of thrust."

 

Images here are from John O'Connor at Nasatech.net, and enjoy a close-up video of the launch, below, from Matthew Travis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=YxQQbi8v_dk

A standard video view of the launch is below.

On board was the WGS-6 (Wideband Global Satcom)a big 6,000 kg (13,200 lb) satellite that is part of a military communications network shared by the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

As flames from the hydrogen-rich ignition coil around the boosters the RS-68 main engine comes up to full power. Credit: John O'Connor/nasatech.net

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UzqVfVRtlj8

Rising from the launch table the Delta IV/WGS-6 mission begins. Credit: John O'Connor/nasatech.net

Clear of the lightning towers the WGS-6 mission streaks to super-sync geo orbit. Credit: John O'Connor/nasatech.net.

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