Mission to Mars - May 5 2018

[JimFox]

In Lompoc California there will be a missile launch from Vandenberg AFB early morning on May 5. I am planning on being there. Missile launches are crazy looking in the night sky as the missile will do all sorts of weird different looking things as it blasts off through the sky.

This is the link for more info: https://explorelompoc.com/vandenberg-air-force-base/

There is no more lodging in Lompoc, it's been sold out for a few weeks now. My plan is just to drive up there since it's only about 3 hours away, I will just leave the house about midnight or so.

There are 2 official viewing spots set up, one at the Lompoc Airport and one at a church on a hill. I am not sure yet which of those I will go to, or if I will go to some other location in that area. The advantage of being at those locations is there will be people and information about the mission on display that could be informative.

If anyone is interested in meeting up there, let me know.

Jim

 

[Ben Egbert]

I remember seeing launches from Vandenberg from a plane on the way back to LAX from Seatac many years ago, It can be crazy beautiful.

Too far for mne now, but I hope you get some Focal Folks to join you.

 

[J. M. Livingston]

I went up a few months ago for a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, here are some of the resources I found useful. While a few are old the info hasn't changed.

The Mars launch should be going from SLC-3 so the closest viewing point will be the intersection of W. Ocean Ave and Renwick Ave. Note that Renwick is a dirt agriculture road. Map of the launch pads:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=110826783807456856142.000490cd3c98fc966846d

https://perens.com/2017/02/16/how-to-view-launches-at-vandenberg-air-force-base/

https://wiki.dandascalescu.com/blog/where_to_watch_vandenberg_afb_rocket_launches

https://perens.com/2017/02/16/how-to-view-launches-at-vandenberg-air-force-base/

http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/mission/timeline/launch/watch-in-person/

If you're following any "Live media" to know when liftoff occurs you'll miss it as that live media is delayed. Get a scanner or take a HAM radio operator with you and listen at 386.3Mhz AM which is the Vandenburg launch frequency.

 

[JimFox]

I went up a few months ago for a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch, here are some of the resources I found useful. While a few are old the info hasn't changed.

The Mars launch should be going from SLC-3 so the closest viewing point will be the intersection of W. Ocean Ave and Renwick Ave. Note that Renwick is a dirt agriculture road. Map of the launch pads:

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=110826783807456856142.000490cd3c98fc966846d

https://perens.com/2017/02/16/how-to-view-launches-at-vandenberg-air-force-base/

https://wiki.dandascalescu.com/blog/where_to_watch_vandenberg_afb_rocket_launches

https://perens.com/2017/02/16/how-to-view-launches-at-vandenberg-air-force-base/

http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbview.htm

https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/

https://mars.nasa.gov/insight/mission/timeline/launch/watch-in-person/

If you're following any "Live media" to know when liftoff occurs you'll miss it as that live media is delayed. Get a scanner or take a HAM radio operator with you and listen at 386.3Mhz AM which is the Vandenburg launch frequency.

Thanks John for that info! It's been very informative. After much thought we will probably stay shoot it from one of the official area's that are set up in Lompoc. After we have had some real experience shooting it, next time we can go out to one of the alternate viewing spots listed. Since this is a 4am launch it seems smarter for the first time since it's in the dark to stay with an established area.

 

[J. M. Livingston]

Watch your weather, the Launch Alert mailing list sent an update last night that there is an 80% chance the launch will NOT happen on Saturday due to weather.

John

The following are portions of a media update from the United Launch Alliance (the Atlas V rocket manufacturer and launch service provider) regarding Saturday's planned Atlas V / Mars InSight launch from Vandenberg AFB.

The launch weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday does not look very encouraging (only a 20% probability of acceptable weather).

"Subject: L-3 Media Update: ULA Atlas V InSight Launch Set for May 5

Date: May 2, 2018 8:16 PM

Good evening - everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V InSight mission for NASA. The mission is set to lift off on an Atlas V rocket on Saturday, May 5 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 20 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch.

The two-hour launch window begins at 4:05 a.m. PT ...

Launch Forecast Summary:

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 80%

Primary concerns: Launch Visibility

Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 80%

Primary concern: Launch Visibility ..."

______________________________________________________________

Launch-Alert mailing list

Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/launch-alert

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm

Post: mailto:Launch-Alert@mailman.qth.net

 

[JimFox]

Watch your weather, the Launch Alert mailing list sent an update last night that there is an 80% chance the launch will NOT happen on Saturday due to weather.

John

Oh wow, thanks for the heads up John! I had been looking at the weather and was wondering a bit about that. I need to get signed up on that Launch Alert.

 

[Ryan10]

I am proud to say that just about all of the flex PCBs on that lander were built by the company I work for.

 

[JimFox]

I am proud to say that just about all of the flex PCBs on that lander were built by the company I work for.

Wow, now that's pretty cool Ryan!