My Delta II launch pic

[DataPlumber]

I had to get up at 2:30am to take this wild pic (http://spaceweather.com/submissions/large_image_popup.php?image_name=Chas-Robinson-Delta-2-launch-oct-28-2011-800x_1319796802.jpg) out of my bedroom window.
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[KaiYeves]

Wild!

[Swift]

Cool!

[Trebuchet]

I assume that's from Vandenburg! How often do you get to see those?

While temporarily assigned in Southern California for my company, I saw a Titan IV launch from the beach at Seal Beach, CA. It was a recon satellite so hadn't been announced in advance. Pretty spectacular, and visible for an amazingly long time.

[DataPlumber]

I assume that's from Vandenburg! How often do you get to see those?

Most people would never know that there's a few launches every year, visible to most of LA. The iridescent cloud trail from a twilight launch can be spectacular and hard to ignore. I've missed more than I've seen; many occur in the early morning hours.
For a heads-up, check out Vandenberg's launch schedule (http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm).
Here's one exhaust plume from 2002..
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[ravens_cry]

On the fire and the flame, we thunder our way into the heavens. If we ever find a more efficient means of getting into space, I think I will still miss the awesome spectacle of riding a pillar of fire.

[KaiYeves]

If we ever find a more efficient means of getting into space, I think I will still miss the awesome spectacle of riding a pillar of fire.
I agree. :-(

[DataPlumber]

Since we're still on the subject of fiery launches, here's one of my videos of a Shuttle launch (STS-130) (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dataplumber9#p/u/7/bRvB7ov2Phg)

[KaiYeves]

Since we're still on the subject of fiery launches, here's one of my videos of a Shuttle launch (STS-130) (http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=dataplumber9#p/u/7/bRvB7ov2Phg)
I followed that mission all the way through, and was lucky enough to meet astronaut Nicholas Patrick last Monday and tell him so.

[DataPlumber]

I'll eventually get a patch for that mission, since there's a fellow (or kin?) Robinson in the crew.

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[Mellow]

Love the original long exposure pic, nice work. :-)

[DataPlumber]

Love the original long exposure pic, nice work. :-)
Thanks. I have a great location, a Nikon, and mainly clear skies. Just add desire...

[Clive Tester]

Great picture. Always inspires

[Gemini]

Also on board was AubieSat, the Auburn University CubeSat. My University's Space Hardware Club (who is in the process of building it's own CubeSat) managed to received transmissions from AubieSat in our communications lab, which serves as mission control for our various space projects.

Congrats guys, War Eagle!

[DataPlumber]

coooolsville!