(Download a higher resolution picture by clicking on any picture below.)

A Delta-II booster launched the Worldview 2 satellite from SLC-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 11:51 AM on Thursday, October 8.

Ignition

Four seconds after ignition.

Eight seconds after ignition. Initially, the rocket ascended on the power of its first stage main engine and six solid fuel boosters.

Ten seconds after ignition.

Sixteen seconds after ignition.

Twenty-four seconds after ignition.

Thirty-six seconds after ignition.

Fourty-six seconds after ignition.

One minute, four seconds after ignition.

One minute, fourteen seconds after ignition. After the six ground lit boosters burned out, three nore solid fuel boosters were ignited 1 minute and twelve seconds after launch.

One minute, Eighteen seconds after ignition.

One minute, Twenty-four seconds after ignition.

One minute, Fifty-two seconds after ignition.

Two minutes, Twenty-four seconds after ignition. The air lit boosters burned out 2 minutes and fourteen seconds after launch.

Four minutes, Forty-six seconds after ignition. The first stage main engine cut off four minutes and thirty-eight seconds after launch, followed by the ignition of the second stage engine. Winds aloft quickly twisted the launch exhaust trail.

The first Atlas-V to be launched from Vandenberg AFB is scheduled for launch from Space Launch Complex 3 on Sunday, October 18.

More Vandenberg AFB launch photography.

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Rocket Launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base

2020 Calendar

You can buy a 2020 calendar featuring my photographs of rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

Photos of thirteen rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base:

Pegasus-XL/Wide-Field Infra-red Explorer (WIRE) March 4, 1999
Atlas-IIAS/Terra December 18, 1999
Delta II/Gravity Probe B, April 20, 2004
Minotaur/Streak September 22, 2005
Titan IV/National Reconnaissance Office satellite, October 19, 2005
Minuteman III, February 16, 2006
Minuteman III, April 2, 2008
Target Launch Vehicle, September 24, 2008
Delta-II/GeoEye 1, September 6, 2008
Delta II/Jason 2, June 20, 2008
Delta II/COSMO-Skymed, October 24, 2008
Taurus/Orbiting Carbon Observatory, February 24, 2009
Delta-II/Worldview 2, October 28, 2009

Put a copy of the Rocket Launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base: 2020 Calendar in your Lulu.com shopping cart for $14.95.

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Links

The home page of the 30th Space Wing

Brian Webb's Space Archive Page provides launch schedule and ham radio information.

Visit SLC-2W on Google Earth.

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Send a message to Brian .