Delta IV Launch - Wow

Boeing may be in trouble with the Government, but it sure
knows how to put on a show. Tonight's third Delta IV launch,
the first during daylight, was waayy cool with the slooowwwwly
rising rocket, the startling flashes caused by ice shedding
and RS-68 nozzle ablation, and, finally, the odd sight of
a rocket racing away without a smoky trail behind it. The
ground tracker camera image seemed especially sharp. Was the
range using a new tracker in the wake of the STS-107 problems?

- Ed Kyle

(ed kyle) wrote in news:88d21cfd.0308291857.2bf4d5c2
@posting.google.com:

Boeing may be in trouble with the Government, but it sure
knows how to put on a show. Tonight's third Delta IV launch,
the first during daylight, was waayy cool with the slooowwwwly
rising rocket, the startling flashes caused by ice shedding
and RS-68 nozzle ablation, and, finally, the odd sight of
a rocket racing away without a smoky trail behind it. The
ground tracker camera image seemed especially sharp. Was the
range using a new tracker in the wake of the STS-107 problems?

The last couple of Atlas V launches have had some sharp closeups,
too. Big improvement over previous coverage.

Cool launch photo he

http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/...r_030829s.html

--Damon

(ed kyle) wrote in message . com...
Boeing may be in trouble with the Government, but it sure
knows how to put on a show. Tonight's third Delta IV launch,
the first during daylight, was waayy cool with the slooowwwwly
rising rocket, the startling flashes caused by ice shedding
and RS-68 nozzle ablation, and, finally, the odd sight of
a rocket racing away without a smoky trail behind it. The
ground tracker camera image seemed especially sharp. Was the
range using a new tracker in the wake of the STS-107 problems?

- Ed Kyle

The upcoming Delta IVH ought to be interesting to watch. Bigger than
a Titan 4B but without the brilliant burn of solids and the fast climb
off the pad.

Speaking of fast climbs, did anyone else get the impression the SIRTF
Delta IIH launch went up noticeably faster than a 7925? Ok, so it was
a Heavy, there was no 3rd stage, and SIRTF mass is low relative to say
MER. But I didn't think the difference in acceleration would be so
visually apparent. SIRTF took off like a skyrocket.

In article , Mike Chan wrote:

The upcoming Delta IVH ought to be interesting to watch. Bigger than
a Titan 4B but without the brilliant burn of solids and the fast climb
off the pad.

Yeah, Shame it looks like its been delayed until 2nd Quarter 2004
according to http://www.spaceflightnow.com/tracking/index.html


Iain