PDA

View Full Version : Massive 235ft rocket carrying a secret spy satellite replacement blasts off




CaseyJones
01-21-2011, 05:40 PM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1349183/Delta-IV-Heavy-Launch-Vehicle-Largest-rocket-launched-U-S-West-Coast-lifts-off.html


It is the largest rocket ever launched from the U.S. West Coast.

The 235ft-tall Delta IV Heavy Launch Vehicle lifted off at 1.10pm local time yesterday with a classified U.S. government defence satellite on board.

Carrying cargo for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), the booster rose into the sky over California's central coast and arced over the Pacific Ocean, a spectacle visible from 50 miles away.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ96oEwYrE8

Vessol
01-21-2011, 05:44 PM
I wish I could blast my money into space too.

Anti Federalist
01-21-2011, 05:47 PM
<<<praying for a solar flare of epic proportions.

axiomata
01-21-2011, 05:47 PM
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/01/21/article-1349183-0CD8BABC000005DC-311_306x497_popup.jpg

cool pic

dannno
01-21-2011, 06:03 PM
Damn that launch was pretty close to me, I wish I would have known it was going off I would have gone out and watched..

JoshLowry
01-21-2011, 06:04 PM
I wish I could blast my money into space too.

Ever pay taxes? Mission accomplished.

Vessol
01-21-2011, 06:12 PM
Ever pay taxes? Mission accomplished.

That's what I was saying :P. I wish I could have the honor of blasting my own money into space.

Dr.3D
01-21-2011, 06:18 PM
That's what I was saying :P. I wish I could have the honor of blasting my own money into space.

Seems you can if you really want to.

Leaving Earth to touch the cosmos is an experience few have ever known, but many have often dreamed of. Celestis makes it possible to honor the dream and memory of your departed loved one by launching a symbolic portion of cremated remains into Earth orbit, onto the lunar surface or into deep space. Missions into space that return the cremated remains to Earth are also available.
http://www.celestis.com/

Anti Federalist
01-21-2011, 06:24 PM
Anybody have any idea what this new spy gizmo will do?

I'm sure it will be looking down at us.

oyarde
01-21-2011, 06:34 PM
Anybody have any idea what this new spy gizmo will do?

I'm sure it will be looking down at us.

I figured it would be counting money in China and Saudi Arabia .

CaseyJones
01-21-2011, 06:38 PM
with China developing anti satellite missiles maybe the reason this is so huge is it is armored and has self defense capabilities

Inkblots
01-21-2011, 06:42 PM
with China developing anti satellite missiles maybe the reason this is so huge is it is armored and has self defense capabilities

Well, heck, sounds good to me! After all, since I'm paying for it, I wouldn't want any rascally Chinese fellers smashing it up...

tangent4ronpaul
01-21-2011, 07:12 PM
Most likely optics, but could be an orbital launch platform / weapon or a flying repair depot / gas station.

-t

devil21
01-21-2011, 07:20 PM
Shame it didn't just blow up. If they're going to spend (waste) my money to feed the military/industrial complex, I'd at least like to see a good fireworks show and know that one less satellite is spying on everyone.

oyarde
01-21-2011, 07:25 PM
Shame it didn't just blow up. If they're going to spend (waste) my money to feed the military/industrial complex, I'd at least like to see a good fireworks show and know that one less satellite is spying on everyone.

Fireworks provided nightly in Kandahar and Helmand .....

Vessol
01-21-2011, 07:36 PM
Most likely optics, but could be an orbital launch platform / weapon or a flying repair depot / gas station.

-t

This was my thought. It's a bit of a stretch, but anyone remember the Orbital Drop soldiers that the Pentagon was proposing 5 or so years ago?

Here's an article I found on it.
http://www.popsci.com/military-aviation-space/article/2006-12/semper-fly-marines-space

tangent4ronpaul
01-21-2011, 07:58 PM
Shame it didn't just blow up. If they're going to spend (waste) my money to feed the military/industrial complex, I'd at least like to see a good fireworks show and know that one less satellite is spying on everyone.

Yeah - but think about the kinds of High Def prints you will be able to order in 25-30 years, after they get declassified... :D

-t