Launch A-lot Topics

[cobradav]

I will attempt to place general info here for Space Launch related topics. Some may be interested.

The Delta II DAWN mission scrubbed for its remaining July 2007 Window - too many risks in getting it off in the remaining window without jeopardizing the Delta II Phoenix mission which sits stacked (except for spacecraft) on the adjacent PAD 17A.

Phoenix is next up currenly scheduled for 3 August at 0535 EDT

Shuttle Endeavour (STS-118) next on 7 August at approximately 1900 EDT (7PM for you non RS types)

After that an Atlas V launch in August

Then Delta IV wants to go (not on schedule yet) in August

For you left coasters

Delta II WorldView 1 - is 20 September 2007 but that could change with the slip of DAWN mission into September as well (same team launches left and right coast Delta II/IV rockets).

[abe]

Are you a..

OMG, YOU ARE!!!

YOU'RE A ROCKET SCIENTIST!!!


That's awesome!

I wanted to be an astronomer when I was a kid, until my grandma bought me some books that were high school level (I was 7 at the time). I was mystified by the star charts and such; couldn't figure them out. But I'm a big fan of sci-fi and star trek, of course.

What do you do, exactly? I mean, what are your responsibilities? I'm curious what a rocket scientist actually does. :)

[cobradav]

Are you a..

OMG, YOU ARE!!!

YOU'RE A ROCKET SCIENTIST!!!


That's awesome!

I wanted to be an astronomer when I was a kid, until my grandma bought me some books that were high school level (I was 7 at the time). I was mystified by the star charts and such; couldn't figure them out. But I'm a big fan of sci-fi and star trek, of course.

What do you do, exactly? I mean, what are your responsibilities? I'm curious what a rocket scientist actually does. :)

Well, If I told you I'd have to ... Oh, that was another life.

Now I really no longer do the nuts and bolts of rockets, missiles, warheads and spacecraft. Now I just push a lot of paper and sit on console for my prime launch customer/vehicle, the Delta II under the title of Program Manager - a crock as I do not manage anything. I was also the PM for Shuttle Return to Flight after the Columbia disaster and the 1st flight afterwards. Early in my career I was one of the first radar operators to track a space vehicle to the moon (and back, thank goodness). Later I was involved in Range Safety (Send arm, send detruct!!!! = kaboom), special studies and techniques development for NFL (no, not the football league you boob, New Foreign Launches). Would spend many days out in Cheyenne Mountain Complex helping them understand C-band Radar. And I did special studies on other high interest domestic and foreign capabilities. Planned many of data gathering efforts on US Submarine FBM test in the Atlantic area. Also spent time in MASINT (Measurements and Signatures Intelligence) which is where my COBRA handle comes from.
Also spent considerable time concered with the opposite of space - underwater. Spent 8 very good years managing a contract whose sole purpose was hunting the USSR subs back to where they belong - in port (read about it in Hunt for Red October - SURTASS and IUSS). Other than that nothing really fun.

Spent 8 very good years managing a contract whose sole purpose was hunting the USSR subs back to where they belong - in port (read about it in Hunt for Red October - SURTASS and IUSS). Other than that nothing really fun.

Wow! A privilege to have you here, Sir!

How many 941 Akulas are there now? Some of the web-photos I see indicate they were enormous! What was so advanced about them, at the time, apart from their size? Always been fascinated by them. I know they were actually made up of two pressure hulls, not just one.

[BHR4CE1]

Now I really no longer do the nuts and bolts of rockets, missiles, warheads and spacecraft. Now I just push a lot of paper and sit on console for my prime launch customer/vehicle, the Delta II under the title of Program Manager - a crock as I do not manage anything. I was also the PM for Shuttle Return to Flight after the Columbia disaster and the 1st flight afterwards. Early in my career I was one of the first radar operators to track a space vehicle to the moon (and back, thank goodness). Later I was involved in Range Safety (Send arm, send detruct!!!! = kaboom), special studies and techniques development for NFL (no, not the football league you boob, New Foreign Launches). Would spend many days out in Cheyenne Mountain Complex helping them understand C-band Radar. And I did special studies on other high interest domestic and foreign capabilities. Planned many of data gathering efforts on US Submarine FBM test in the Atlantic area. Also spent time in MASINT (Measurements and Signatures Intelligence) which is where my COBRA handle comes from.
Also spent considerable time concered with the opposite of space - underwater. Spent 8 very good years managing a contract whose sole purpose was hunting the USSR subs back to where they belong - in port (read about it in Hunt for Red October - SURTASS and IUSS). Other than that nothing really fun.


Damn.. All I can do is eat, and play the piano. :scared:

[XMN]

Damn.. All I can do is eat, and play the piano. :scared:

Now that I have heard you play I am not sure which one you do better.

[BHJB]

Well, If I told you I'd have to ... Oh, that was another life.

Now I really no longer do the nuts and bolts of rockets, missiles, warheads and spacecraft. Now I just push a lot of paper and sit on console for my prime launch customer/vehicle, the Delta II under the title of Program Manager - a crock as I do not manage anything. I was also the PM for Shuttle Return to Flight after the Columbia disaster and the 1st flight afterwards. Early in my career I was one of the first radar operators to track a space vehicle to the moon (and back, thank goodness). Later I was involved in Range Safety (Send arm, send detruct!!!! = kaboom), special studies and techniques development for NFL (no, not the football league you boob, New Foreign Launches). Would spend many days out in Cheyenne Mountain Complex helping them understand C-band Radar. And I did special studies on other high interest domestic and foreign capabilities. Planned many of data gathering efforts on US Submarine FBM test in the Atlantic area. Also spent time in MASINT (Measurements and Signatures Intelligence) which is where my COBRA handle comes from.
Also spent considerable time concered with the opposite of space - underwater. Spent 8 very good years managing a contract whose sole purpose was hunting the USSR subs back to where they belong - in port (read about it in Hunt for Red October - SURTASS and IUSS). Other than that nothing really fun.

Dave, are you sure that all those infos are declassified? Reading your post kinda made me nervous.......just kidding.
But, what an amazing job you got there! :bravo: Growing up, I always wanted to become an astrophysicist but somehow ended up doing other stuff..... Again what an exciting career! :newshocked:

[cobradav]

Spent 8 very good years managing a contract whose sole purpose was hunting the USSR subs back to where they belong - in port (read about it in Hunt for Red October - SURTASS and IUSS). Other than that nothing really fun.

Wow! A privilege to have you here, Sir!

How many 941 Akulas are there now? Some of the web-photos I see indicate they were enormous! What was so advanced about them, at the time, apart from their size? Always been fascinated by them. I know they were actually made up of two pressure hulls, not just one.
Don't know now, and not sure I could say if I knew. I'm sure the numbers are in unclassified documents - normally the Congressional record and probably Janes Fighting Ships. Been away for about 4-years. After the collapse of the USSR, Russia just did not have the will or $$ to keep a very robust underwater presence. We pulled our mobile assets (SURTASS) out of the Atlantic all together. So with only a small :youbet: Pacific Ocean to patrol the effort is less than a third of what it used to be.