I am fortunate to live within 200 miles of Vandenberg AFB, so have been able to head down for many launches over the years. It took me many trips to find all the good off-base sites where the public can view launches. As stated by others, the largest vehicle currently launching out of Vandenberg is the Delta IV Heavy. It launches off SLC-6 (where the Shuttle was originally planned to lift off). There is no off-base location where you can see the rocket on the pad before launch. The SURF AMTRAK location was open once for a Delta IV Heavy launch, but apparently that spot seasonally closes due to nesting of an endangered bird species (Snowy Plover). The best site to watch a Delta-IV launch is really is up near SUDDEN PEAK Videos I took of the Delta-IV, along with still photos and viewing site information with coordinates can be seen at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/xb70man/sets/72157635356568650/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/xb70man/sets/72157625888556270/ The current Falcon 9 launches off SLC-4E. You can get very close to the pad on Renwick Ave. off of Ocean, but you cannot see the rocket on the pad. Several seconds after liftoff, it is quite visible. It CAN be seen while on the pad from the top of Harris Grade Road, but that location is over 11 miles from the pad. Still photos, video and observing site coordinates again at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/xb70man/sets/72157636029481925/ Atlas-V launches off of SLC-3E are quite accessible - viewing from as close as 2.4 miles away. The top of the rocket can be seen on the pad. Details at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/xb70man/sets/72157626376787771/ Delta-II launches off SLC-2W are very easy for the public to see about 5 miles from the pad. https://www.flickr.com/photos/xb70man/sets/72157628107813390/ While no longer launched, a video I took of the last-ever Titan-IV, which can be seen at: http://youtu.be/modul24YyN0 That was an amazing rocket! Regards, Rick Baldridge Campbell, CA. _______________________________________________ Seesat-l mailing list http://mailman.satobs.org/mailman/listinfo/seesat-lReceived on Sun Jul 06 2014 - 16:41:49 UTC
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