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Delta-II launch from Vandenberg AFB, December 7, 2001

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Delta-II launches Jason and TIMED satellites from Vandenberg AFB on December 7, 2001 A Boeing-McDonnell-Douglas Delta-II launched the Jason and TIMED satellites from Vandenberg AFB at 7:07 A.M. P.S.T. on December 7, 2001.

Hear the Delta-II

Delta-II launches Jason and TIMED satellites from Vandenberg AFB on December 7, 2001 The sun had just appeared above the horizon directly behind us.

Delta-II launches Jason and TIMED satellites from Vandenberg AFB on December 7, 2001 The Delta-II headed south over western Santa Barbara County.

The second set of the Delta-II's solid fuel boosters ignite on December 7, 2001 The Delta-II boster passed near the half moon shortly after the second set of solid fuel boosters ignited.

Delta-II jettisons the first set of six solid fuel boosters on December 7, 2001 The first set of six solid fuel boosters falls away from the Delta-II.

Delta-II flies past the moon on December 7, 2001 The Delta-II ascends over the Santa Barbara Channel and on toward the Pacific Ocean.

Burnout of the solid fuel boosters of the Delta-II on December 7, 2001 Burnout of the solid fuel boosters of the Delta-II

Delta-II jettisons the second set of three solid fuel bosters on December 7, 2001 Close-up the above photo reveals the second set of three solid fuel boosters falling away from the liquid-fueled core of the Delta-II.

Delta-II leaves the atmosphere on December 7, 2001 The exhaust plume of the Delta-II spreads out as it leaves the atmosphere

'The exhaust trail of the Delta-II drifts across the half moon on December 7, 2001 The exhaust trail drifted in front of the waning half moon.

Delta-II exhaust trail over SLC-2 on December 7, 2001 Delta-II exhaust trail over SLC-2 on December 7, 2001 Delta-II exhaust trail over SLC-2 on December 7, 2001 The exhaust trail over the launch pad was pulled in different directions at different altitudes..

Delta-II exhaust trail is contorted by winds aloft on December 7, 2001 Delta-II exhaust trail is contorted by winds aloft on December 7, 2001 Delta-II exhaust trail is contorted by winds aloft on December 7, 2001 Winds aloft quickly twisted the exhaust trail from the Delta-II.

Composite image of the Delta-II exhaust trail on December 7, 2001 Three frame panorama of the entire exhaust trail.

Previous launches from Vandenberg AFB More Vandenberg AFB launch photography.

Link to Boeing's Delta-II page.

Link to the Air Force Fact Sheet about the Delta-II.

The home page of the 30th Space Wing

For national and international space coverage visit SPACE.com

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

Go to the Home Page

I am always interested in more information about these launches. Send a message to Brian .