JAMSAT 日本アマチュア衛星通信協会

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Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 02:47:52 -0800
From: Phil Karn <karn@homer.ka9q.ampr.org>
To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org
Subject: [jamsat-amsat-bb:22810] Sunsat launch seen from San Diego

I just watched the first part of the Delta launch from the front of my
house here in San Diego. I picked up the unmistakeable yellow SRB
plumes about a minute after launch when it rose above the usual low
elevation haze. It was very conspicuous until the second set of SRBs
burned out.

The first stage sustainer phase was less bright, but still easily
seen, especially in binoculars. Part of its plume could also be seen,
especially near the end of first stage flight when the launcher was
approximately to my west as it came down the coast. Then I saw a
momentary flash (probably the separation motors being fired) and then
nothing more. (Not to worry; the second stage burns hypergolic fuels
that produce no visible flame or plume.)

I captured part of the flight on videotape, but it was very hard to
keep it aimed properly while also fumbling with binoculars in the
dark.

This launch was no match for the Iridium launches that have taken
place during twilight, but it was still worth seeing. Late evening
launches are especially spectacular when the first stage vapor trail
is backlit by the sun; they generate many UFO reports.

The first stage plume isn't as bright during a dawn launch, but the
high sun angle makes it very easy to see the individual launcher
components. On one morning Iridium launch I could easily see the
second stage moving on with the first stage and the two tumbling
pieces of the payload fairing all falling behind it, flashing quite
brightly.

Phil
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Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999 12:55:07 -0800 (PST)
From: Clifford Buttschardt <cbuttsch@slonet.org>
To: amsat-bb@AMSAT.Org
Subject: [jamsat-amsat-bb:22814] Sunsat/Oersted-8 hours later

On the 11th try, the delta rocket was successful!! At Vandenberg
some four miles from the pad the white flume and astounding noise was
due tribute. It seemed the vehicle simply did not want to depart since
our view angle was nearly vertical. As reported by Phil Karn, KA9Q, the
launch was effectively seen farther South downrange through separation.
John Curtis, W7RAQ, posted AMSAT-BB that liftoff was spot on schedule.
One hundred minutes later the Sunsat command team attempted to enable the
telemetry transmitter without result. Both right and left hand antenna
polarizations were used with different time variant command strings, but
no downlink signals. The team assumed successful second stage separation
of Oersted/Sunsat and continued commanding for the four minute window.
At this point all information sources are being asked for feedback.
There is a possibility of a return to Vandenberg at 2300 UTC for another
command trial. The South African command team has three good passes with
which to command. Congratulations to all!! Cliff K7RR/W6HDO


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