(Download a higher resolution picture by clicking on any
picture below.)
Delta-II/NOAA-N launch from Vandenberg AFB, May 20, 2005 |
(Download a higher resolution picture by clicking on any
picture below.)
The NOAA-N satellite was launched from Vandenberg AFB on a Delta II booster at 3:22 A.M on Friday, May 20. It will be renamed NOAA-18 and replace the NOAA-16 staeellite later this summer.
The horizon lit up right on schedule and the Delta-II rose slowly from the pad. As the rocket accelerated, the flame grew longer and bluer. The burnout of the solid fuel boosters was clearly visible. The discarded boosters flashed periodically as they tumbled behind the ascending rocket.
This 178.6-second time exposure was taken
with a Nikon D70 digital SLR set to an effective film speed of 200 ASA with an f3.5 lens. These pictures were taken from the Santa Ynez Mountains about 35 miles from SLC-2.
This time exposure was shot on Kodak Max 400 speed color negative film through a 28mm f/2.5 lens.
The Delta II heads south on the power of the liquid fueled core. This time exposure was shot on Kodak Max 400 speed color negative film through a 28mm f/2.5 lens.
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
Brian Webb's Space Archive Page provides launch schedule and ham radio information.
You can buy a 2008 calendar featuring my photographs of rocket raunches from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Atlas IIAS/Terra, December 18, 1999
Delta II/Gravity Probe B, April 20, 2004
LGM-118 Peacekeeper, July 21, 2004
Minuteman III, August 25, 2005
Minuteman III, September 7, 2005
Titan IV/National Reconnaissance Office satellite, October 19, 2005
Delta II/CALIPSO Cloudsat, April 28, 2006
Delta IV/DMSP F17, November 4, 2006
Delta II/National Reconnaissance Office satellite, December 14, 2006
Delta II/COSMO-Skymed, May 7, 2007
Minotaur, August 23, 2007
Delta II/Worldview 1, September 18, 2007
Put a copy of the Rocket Launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base: 2008 Calendar in your Lulu.com shopping cart for $16.95.
Send a message to Brian .