Rocket Launch Tonite at 6:45 from Virginia!!

[Gerard]

http://www.nj.com/weather-guy/index.ssf/2014/10/nasa_rocket_launch_to_light_up_nj_skies_tonight_ho w_to_watch.html

[Kiffy]

Thanks for the heads-up!
Too bad the flight was scrubbed (http://wtkr.com/2014/10/25/antares-launch-from-wallops-island-scrubbed-due-to-boat-in-the-range-area/)tonight.
If it had launched around 5:50pm it would have crossed the path of the ISS (where the rocket is heading)!

A few shots of the ISS as it passed overhead:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/15025802753_703ca84ba8_z.jpg

The ISS on the left and a CRJ departing PHL on the right.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15643266791_3a1c8cffdc_z.jpg

[Gerard]

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/launch/orbital.html#.VE7Tx76GuEk

According to the NASA site it was scrubbed because there was a boat down range in the trajectory of the rocket if it lifted. Mmmmm, was it close enough to the liftoff to cause a security concern?
They will try again at 6:22 tomorrow night!!
I had a great view on the track at the middle school!! Beautiful evening with a crescent moon and a great view of the JFK 22 arrivals lining up from the SE. Did see the ISS fly overhead though at 6:51, west to SSE.

[moose135]

Mmmmm, was it close enough to the liftoff to cause a security concern?
Probably more of a safety concern than security - if something goes wrong with the launch, you don't want to drop flaming rocket parts on people.

[felipegcmh]

Probably more of a safety concern than security - if something goes wrong with the launch, you don't want to drop flaming rocket parts on people.

Darwin says it's ok to proceed with the launch.

[puckstopper55]

would this be following the same path as the rocket from wallops last winter? I think it was viewed to the south and went from the west to the east

[Mateo]

would this be following the same path as the rocket from wallops last winter? I think it was viewed to the south and went from the west to the eastYes, still west-to-east and off to the south, but the angle above the horizon will be a little lower, since the trajectory is a little more southerly than the night launch last year.

[Gintaras B.]

Nice shots! I did watch ISS last nite...It was soooo cool, lasted about 4 min. Next time I'll try to video it on my cheapo camcorder. I saw some plane departing JFK crossing path of ISS



Thanks for the heads-up!
Too bad the flight was scrubbed (http://wtkr.com/2014/10/25/antares-launch-from-wallops-island-scrubbed-due-to-boat-in-the-range-area/)tonight.
If it had launched around 5:50pm it would have crossed the path of the ISS (where the rocket is heading)!

A few shots of the ISS as it passed overhead:

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3955/15025802753_703ca84ba8_z.jpg

The ISS on the left and a CRJ departing PHL on the right.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15643266791_3a1c8cffdc_z.jpg

[Gerard]

HOLY CRAP it just EXPLODED upon launching!! WOW!!!!

[Gintaras B.]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2014/10/28/nasa-rocket-explodes-wallops-island/18080871/

[Mateo]

Was at Battery Park again this evening, but with a high thin layer of clouds this time (though thin enough that we probably would have seen it). Launch time comes and goes, no one sees it - everyone thought we were clouded out until someone checked Twitter or something and gave the news. There was a groan, a shrug, and then everyone headed off. Oh, well.

[Gerard]

There are two impressive videos I saw. One was from a spotters area across the water!! The sound and force of the explosion is amazing and pretty much scares the hell out of many of the spotters who turn to getaway. Another is from an aircraft some miles away!! That is just as amazing!! Sorry I don't have the links available but worth your while to find and view.
A big shame is the lost payload of science experiments that were heading to the ISS for research!! Awful!!

[mirrodie]

Probably more of a safety concern than security - if something goes wrong with the launch, you don't want to drop flaming rocket parts on people.

I saw the vid from the plane but not from the spotters area.


WHOA Moose! Clairvoyant???

[DHG750R]

I saw the vid from the plane but not from the spotters area.


WHOA Moose! Clairvoyant???

my bad, here is the right one lol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHMmMgdcOSU

By now you all have seen it

[Gerard]

video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSPMKENmFx8

Of a Chevy Malibu? LOL!! :confused::rolleyes::smile:

[puckstopper55]

Of a Chevy Malibu? LOL!! :confused::rolleyes::smile: can never hurt to know how to replace the fuel sending unit!

[PhilDernerJr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

[Gerard]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lxqm_YYGZo

[DHG750R]

that was my bad, distracted by work..lol shhh!

[puckstopper55]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ0SgAU9LXI

Why the panic and urge to run away?

[moose135]

Why the panic and urge to run away?

Typical reaction - something bad happens, and plane spotters assume the police are going to come looking at them.
:eek:

[felipegcmh]

But it worked in Kerbal Space Program...

[Gerard]

Why the panic and urge to run away?

Mmmmmm, lets see.... You just watched a rocket crash and EXPLODE in a thunderous BLAST, the launch pad is in flames and the smoke rising looks like a mushroom cloud, yeah I might be leaving also. The fear of the unknown after a disaster like that and in this day and age of terrorism, well I have no problem with what they did!!

[PhilDernerJr]

A think these folks may also have been bloggers, and wanted to go get to where they could learn more information and start reporting....WIFI!

[aemoreira81]

Given that the engines were Russian-made...I have to believe that there was sabotage in the manufacturing process and Russia wanted this to happen. A successful launch was carried out from Baiknour in Kazakhstan hours later.

[moose135]

Given that the engines were Russian-made...I have to believe that there was sabotage in the manufacturing process and Russia wanted this to happen. A successful launch was carried out from Baiknour in Kazakhstan hours later.
The engines were built by the Soviets in the 1960s for their Moon program. Some 20 years ago, they were purchased by Aerojet-Rocketdyne, modernized and refurbished, and eventually chosen for use in Antares. They are extensively tested by NASA prior to use. The Russians didn't sabotage this rocket.