Minotaur IV launch scheduled from Vandenberg AFB for Sept. 25 at 9:41 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2010
Release No. 07-0910

MINOTAUR IV LAUNCH SCHEDULED
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - A Minotaur IV rocket is scheduled to
launch from Space Launch Complex-8 here Sept. 25 at 9:41 p.m. PDT.

The Minotaur IV will launch the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite, a
first-of-its-kind satellite that can detect and track orbiting space
objects, including potential threats to our space assets and orbital debris.
"This groundbreaking satellite is the first to track objects in space from
space," said Lt. Col. Tim Harris, 1st Air and Space Test Squadron commander.
"The launch of the SBSS satellite continues a tradition of successful
teaming between the 30th Space Wing and its launch customers."

Existing tracking systems on the ground suffer distortion as they scan
through the atmosphere. "SBSS won't suffer the same disadvantage," said
Harris. In fact, orbit tracking capability is expected to be 10-times more
accurate with this satellite."

The Minotaur IV-Lite launch vehicle provides the ability to deliver payloads
up to 3000 kilograms on long range, suborbital trajectories. It utilizes
residual Peacekeeper solid rocket motors combined with Orbital's commercial
launch vehicle technologies.


This launch is a combined effort between the 30th Space Wing, Orbital, The
Boeing Company, Ball Aerospace and the Space and Missile Systems Center.

Col. Richard Boltz, 30th Space Wing commander is the launch decision
authority.


LAUNCH BROADCAST SATELLITE COORDINATES:
C Band Sat Info: 9 Mhz
Sept 26 0000-0130 ET X30 Min/Sept 25 2100-2230 PT X30 Min
Gal 3 2C Slot A
UPLINK FREQUENCY: 5951.5 H
DOWNLINK FREQUENCY: 3726.5 V
SD Parameters:
FEC: 5/6
Symbol Rate: 6.617647
Data Rate: 10.164360

Minotaur IV at orbital.com

Minotaur wikipedia page with launch history

Minotaur IV User's Guide

This information was provided by the launch alert mailing list.

Atlas launches NRO satellite

Posted: Tue, Sep 21, 2010, 11:19 PM ET (0319 GMT)

Atlas 5 launch of NROL-41 (ULA) An Atlas 5 rocket launched a classified satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) Monday night. The Atlas 5 501 lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 East at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California at 9:03 pm PDT Monday (12:03 am EDT, 0403 GMT Tuesday) on mission NROL-41. No details about the payload were released, but United Launch Alliance did report the launch was successful. The launch was the first of an NRO payload in 20 months, although four more are planned over the next eight months, including a Delta 4 Heavy launch from Cape Canaveral in mid October.

from: www.spacetoday.net...

I was all set up for that one. Had my munchies and everything. But it was not visible from my secret bunker in Arizona. I am going to try to get up on a mountain for the Minotaur shot.

Vandenburg AFB representatives have told me the launch will not be visible from my location. Too bad.

Here is the Orbital Sciences press release on this launch.