StarDestroyer.Net BBS

I was leaving the bank next to Moffet Air Field and as I was driving away I saw this bright light trailing smoke. I knew it was probably a missile from Vandenburg AFB. It was really cool. I could not stop in time to get a better look. ( DANG DANG DANG ) As is flew closer to me the appearance sorta changed to a large glowing ball, then poof! It went away completely.

I was lucky enough to witness a similar event in high school, this was just as cool.

Its really interesting to see how the smoke trailer snakes back and forth across the sky. I looks like a snake.

This is from the KRON website. ( a local tv channel )

Defense Missle Launch Planned For Tonight

Email story to a friend

Posted: October 14, 2002 at 5:18 p.m.

BAY AREA (BCN) -- Stadium lights at Pac Bell Park may not be the only thing that brightens the sky tonight, as officials at Chabot's Space and Science Center announced today that the Vandenberg Air Force Base plans to launch a refurbished Minuteman II strategic missile.

Officials plan to launch the missile between 7 and 11 tonight, although it will likely be closer to 7 p.m., according to Denni Medlock, assistant to the director of astronomy at Chabot. Medlock said mechanical problems or weather can cause delays, but she said she doesn't expect any setbacks.

The purpose of the launch is to send an unarmed warhead and decoys to the central Pacific as part of a missile defense test, according to Medlock.

"(This missile) is almost identical to the last missile," which was launched in late September. The late-September missile was also part of a missile defense test.

Medlock says that anyone looking to the south or southwest around 7 p.m. should be able to see it, however, she warns that it passes through the sky quickly. It is likely to last just five minutes.

"They are really spectacular, everyone should see it," said Medlock.

I saw it too! At first I thought it was a comet, but then I realized almost instantly that it could not be because it was leaving a contrail and because it was moving so slowly. At one point along its path, it seemed to start giving off large amounts of vapor. It continued in this manner for several seconds, before giving off another, even larger cloud of vapor, and disappearing from my vantage point. It was really cool. I didn't know what it was, but I assumed it was a rocket or a missile test after I had a few moments to think about it. Thanks for telling me what it was!

Hhmmm...I wonder...

I saw it too! At first I thought it was a comet, but then I realized almost instantly that it could not be because it was leaving a contrail and because it was moving so slowly. At one point along its path, it seemed to start giving off large amounts of vapor. It continued in this manner for several seconds, before giving off another, even larger cloud of vapor, and disappearing from my vantage point. It was really cool. I didn't know what it was, but I assumed it was a rocket or a missile test after I had a few moments to think about it. Thanks for telling me what it was!

Glad you saw it too. It was a real treat. From my vantage point it appeared to be coming from Santa Cruz towards Sunnyvale, then went away as to covered the Penninsula. But I know appearances can be deceiving.

The test was a success, with a EKV destroying the RV. In addition, they were testing the ability of the SPY-1 to track the ICBM, but did not hook it up to battle management system for overall engagement.

That brings the program up to a 5-2 record.

http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2002 ... 20-02.html

DAMN I wish I'd live in the US! I could see live missile test firings!
But then again, we had the Starfighters raining down in Germany during the sixties...

You're lucky. I've only seen missiles in movies and books, and the closest think I've ever saw to one was a comet.

I hope that we get a missile defense system. Even if it does'nt work, it would be cool to see all the missiles. Like a $60,000,000,000 fireworks show!

Anyways, this test used the X-Band radar for the engagement. Previous tests used GPS in place of the X-Band radar. I should not that neither the X-Band radar or the GPS signal were used for terminal engagement, but only to point the ABM in the right direction at launch.

Living in California has its benefits. But it has its headaches as well.

Housing is so fricking expensive most of you would choke.

Sometimes I think San Francisco grows people who whine like a row crop.
There were people protesting the Blue Angels because they are noisy!



HELLO! ITS FLEET WEEK YOU MORONS! One weekend a year is not a big price to pay for some noise.

TrailerParkJawa wrote:Living in California has its benefits. But it has its headaches as well.

Housing is so fricking expensive most of you would choke.

Sometimes I think San Francisco grows people who whine like a row crop.
There were people protesting the Blue Angels because they are noisy!



HELLO! ITS FLEET WEEK YOU MORONS! One weekend a year is not a big price to pay for some noise.

California has Berkley, that alone ensures that while I'll vist from time to time, I'll never live there.

Berkeley is okay to visit, there are some good pizza places. Ive noticed the most far out people there are youngsters living on the streets. Trying to recreate some lost hippy days or something. Its been like that for a while.

I would never want to live there. Its actually very run down considering the prices.

Sea Skimmer wrote:California has Berkley, that alone ensures that while I'll vist from time to time, I'll never live there.

Berkley is my least favorite place in the entire country. When I took my job, one of the stipulations I had was that I would never be forced to cover a story there. I even agreed to take jobs at Hunter's Point, but I would not cover a story in Berkley. When I was looking at colleges, everyone wanted me to go to Cal Berkley, but when I got there I found it to be a glorified homeless shelter and I never even applied.

Id feel safer in Berkeley than Hunters point, but Berkeley is far from safe.
One night we were visiting some friends in the dorms, and this homeless guy pulls out a huge knife. ( like crocadile dundee big ) He just showed it to us and babbled about something, then left. I doubt he meant any harm, but still. Shit like that is not cool.