So we dashed down to Virginia tonight (45 min.) to see NASA launch an Air Force Minotaur I rocket carrying the Air Force Research Laboratory’s TacSat-3 satellite and two secondary payloads from their Wallops Island, Virgina facility. Wallops Island Homepage
There was surprisingly, quite a crowd on the edge of this field, in the relative middle of nowhere. Still, it was easy to find a good spot to stand to observe the launch. 
We tried to catch this launch a couple of weeks ago later in the evening and the mission was scratched 2 minutes before blastoff. M was really anxious to see the launch as she'd never seen one and she admits to being a space geek. So this was very exciting for her. 
Here's a little bit of the trail behind the rocket. 
There were various types of rockets on display all around the area as we were in the Visitor's Area for the facility. NASA Wallops Island Webcast Here's a video clip of the launch. I only had my camera phone with me so forgive its limitations.
6 comments:
I think that Camera Phone did GREAT! I have never seen one of these launches "in person"...So, this was very exciting! Thanks so much for this....!
Wow was that amazing. I have never seen a take off like that. I mean we are going to EAA in July again. But that is nothing compared to this.
Cool.
Very neat K .... !! How is the front steps coming along?
Yeah, the rocket launch was cooler than I expected and a lot faster. The Space Shuttle didn't move that quickly, this rocket did. Plus, it was dusk on the ground, but the sunlight reflected on this and with the noise from the rocket, the speed and shine, it was really cool. As for the front steps, they're done, except for 3 bricks we're waiting on with our street address sandblasted into them. I'll have a post up on that soon, hopefully Sunday, as the bricks are supposed to be ready on Friday.
We're all space geeks here too. We recently switched to satellite TV, and Z was thrilled to discover the NASA channel.
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