Pegasus/Space Technology 5 launch
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Three Space Technology 5 satellites were placed in orbit by an Orbital Sciences Pegasus-XL booster launched from Orbital's Lockheed L-1011, N140SC Stargazer at 6:03 A.M. PST on March 22, 2006.
The first attempt to launch the Space Technology 5 satellites was aborted when a pin failed to retract from a control fin on the Pegasus-XL booster shortly before launch on March 15. Stargazer is seen here returning to Runway 12 at Vandenberg Air Force Base with the Pegasus-XL booster. The offending pin was replaced before the second launch attempt.
The second launch attempt came off without a hitch at sunrise. The contrail from the ascending Pegasus-XL booster is barely visible.
The contrail faded away in just a minute.
After the previous Pegasus-XL launch last April 15, Stargazer flew a left hand pattern to Runway 30.
This time Stargazer flew a right hand pattern that put it in front of the sun from where I was taking pictures..
The next Pegasus-XL booster launch is scheduled for September 29, 2006. It will carry the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite.
You can buy a 2006 calendar featuring my photographs of Special Purpose Airplanes in Southern California.
Photos of a dozen special purpose airplanes taken in southern California in 2005.
Airplanes pictured include:
Department of Homeland Security Lockheed P-3B Airborne Early Warning Orion, N144CS, March Air Reserve Base, March 23, 2005;
NASA Airbus Super Guppy 201, N941NA, Boron, California, April 14, 2005;
Volga-Dnepr Antonov An-124-100 Ruslan, RA82704, Vandenberg Air Force Base, May 20, 2005;
McDonnell-Douglas DC-10-10, N450AX, 10 Tanker Air Carrier, Victorville, June 17, 2005;
Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 737-7ES Wedgetail, N378BC, Victorville, July 9, 2005;
Lockheed NP-3D Orion, BuNo 150522, VX-30 Bloodhounds, Naval Air Station Pt. Mugu, July 26, 2005;
Omega Tanker Boeing 707-321C, N707AR, Naval Air Station Pt. Mugu, July 27, 2005;
Scaled Composites Model 318 White Knight, N318SL, Mojave Airport, August 2. 2005;
Boeing 747-Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, N905NA, Space Shuttle Discovery, Edwards Air Force Base, August 19, 2005;
Dornier Do-24ATT, RP-C2403, Santa Barbara Airport, October 10, 2005;
McDonnell-Douglas NF-15B Eagle, NASA 837, Edwards Air Force Base, October 21, 2005;
Scaled Composites Model 281 Proteus, N281PR, Mojave Airport, December 10. 2005.
Put a copy of the Special Purpose Airplanes in Southern California: 2006 Calendar in your Lulu.com shopping cart for $13.95.
Go to the home page of the Goleta Air and Space Museum.
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