Re: Launch Discussions

JRBURCA@aol.com
Fri, 18 Sep 1998 20:44:01 EDT

Lee J. Blanton wrote:
<< I realize that discussion of Minuteman launches might be a little off-topic
for this mailing list since most subscribers don't live near a launch site.
Is there a preferred forum for these these discussions, or is it OK here? >>

Hi All:
 
This is something I've also wondered about.

I'm not a list administrator but I hope it's OK and hope those not able
to see launches will find reports interesting.  The way I look at it, if the 
list is for visual satellite observing, then why not include launch reports 
of those satellites being deployed into orbit.  Of course, the Vandenberg
ICBM tests are sub-orbital but let's not be picky :-)...:-).

I've been reading SeeSat for going on close to two years and have read
and participated in posted reports of space launches and never saw a 
single complaint about it.  And once, one of the list administratrors posted
a report.  I think (or at least hope) that most either find it interesting or
at least, do not object.  I like to see reports of launches whether or not
I personally see them.  Let's face it.  There are few sights more exciting
than watching a rocket soar into space.

IMO, the list should not be too limited just to visual observations of 
satellites, decays, etc. as long as it is understood, THAT is the PRIMARY
purpose.  Making it too restrictive will just tend to paralyze people and
reduce the richness of the list.  After all, the recent INTERESTING discussion
and reports about the purported North Korean satellite launch attempt could
be asserted to be off topic since nobody ever saw NK's claimed satellite !!!

-- Jake Rees
   Burbank, California