Posted on 09/15/2018 1:42:49 PM PDT by JoeFromSidney
I’m at Vandenberg Air Force Base. My wife and I came to see the launch of Icesat2, a satellite intended to measure the thickness of the polar ice caps. Our son Tony designed the laser altimeters on Icesat, which measure the height above the geoid of the ice, of forests, and other objects.
The launch vehicle was a Delta rocket. The Delta was derived from the Air Force’s old Thor missile. This was the last launch of a Delta. It’s now obsolete and being retired.
For me, it closed out some personal history. Back in the late ‘fifties, I was the Air Force project engineer for the Thor guidance system. So I was in at the beginning, and was present for the end.
The launch went off without a hitch. Weather was good, except for the cloud cover. That didn’t affect the launch, but limited our viewing.
The launch was spectacular. Lots of brilliant red flame from the solid fuel strap-on rockets. The flame was reflected from the low-hanging clouds. Of course we lost sight of the rocket after it went above the clouds.
We’ll hear from Tony later today on how well the data are being returned. However the launch, and insertion into orbit, apparently went well.
Well worth the trip out here from Ohio.
That all sounds impressive.
I am glad you had such a positive impact. I am sorry it is the last of its kind, but what a run it was! Great work!
“This was the last launch of a Delta. It’s now obsolete and being retired.”
Nicely done Joe, very nicely done.
Those were days of “can-do” accomplishment! Well done, Sir.
Sounds like your son is developing his own history very nicely.
Popping your buttons, wonderful Smart “kid”.
Way cool!
Kudos to your son for his success and kudos to y’all for raising such a smart man! I’d be very proud if my son did work like that. He’s only 11 so time will tell. :-)
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