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

A Delta-II booster launched the Missile Defense Agency STSS-RTRR satellite from SLC-2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base at 1:24 PM on Tuesday, May 5.

Initially, the rocket ascended on the power of its first stage main engine and six solid fuel boosters. after the six ground lit boosters burned out, three nore solid fuel boosters were ignited 1 minute and nine seconds after launch. The air lit boosters burned out 2 minutes and fourteen seconds after launch.

The first stage main engine cut off four minutes and thirty-eight seconds after launch, followed by the ignition of the second stage engine.

The STSS-RTRR satellite was released from the booster 58 minutes after launch.

Winds aloft quickly twisted the launch exhaust trail.

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 .