Heads up - Atlas 5 launch tonight

[MartG]

Due to go off at 10:15 UK time tonight, delayed after two weather scrubs last week

http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av030/status.html

[Eric Mc]

Thanks.

Will be watching.

Is the Atlas 5 the most powerful US rocket now?

[MartG]

I think Delta IV Heavy can loft a bigger payload ( 13,130kg to GTO ) v Atlas V's 8200Kg - at least until the Atlas V heavy comes along ( estimated 13640 Kg to GTO )

[Eric Mc]

I was thinking of the Atlas V Heavy.

Nice launch.

[MartG]

Good view of the Centaur's RL10 gimballing away there :-)

[Ayahuasca]

I took a flight from Miami International on Friday afternoon and saw a massive vertical smoke trail to the north, spiralling into the clear blue sky - I think it might have been this.

Edited by Ayahuasca on Sunday 26th February 01:50

[Stu R]

Ayahuasca said:

I took a flight Miami International on Friday afternoon and saw a massive vertical smoke trail to the north, spiralling into the clear blue sky - I think it might have been this.

Either that or they've lost their patience with Iran

[MartG]

Another launched early this morning from Vandenberg with a recon satellite

Takeoff 24:40 into the video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKzryqAbEBs&ap...

[Eric Mc]

Quite a different rocket to the Atlas 4 Heavy.