Antares Launch from Wallops, Photo Op (Revised)

Antares Launch Viewed from Fairfax

Each track segment is a 15 second exposure at f/3.5, 50mm, ISO 100.

The large gap near the top is Antares coasting after first stage cutoff.

Revised 2016.10.20 to describe photo and to replace unfinished photo by final.

• A total of 19 track segments comprise this image, including two blank segments during which Antares is coasting after first stage cutoff.   
•          Cutoff occurred near the apparent peak of the trajectory.  About ¾ seconds after cutoff is a dimmer light lasting about 2 seconds, perhaps related to separation of the 1^st and 2^nd stages.
• Second stage ignition occurred after the blank segment.  The first seconds of ignition appear brighter than the rest of the segment.   
• The rocket rises high enough above the horizon that an observer in Fairfax does not require a clear view of the horizon to see most of the trajectory.   
• A diagram of key launch events is available from http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/10/17/key-events-during-the-antares-rockets-climb-to-orbit/, courtesy of Orbital ATK.  

Revised 2016.10.17 AM to note the launch delay and 2016.10.17 PM to add image.

From the Antares "Launch Status" Blog: "Today’s launch of Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket is postponed  24 hours  due to a ground support equipment (GSE) cable that did not perform as expected during the pre-launch check out. We have spares on hand and rework procedures are in process. The Antares and Cygnus teams are not currently working any technical issues with the rocket or the spacecraft. The launch is now scheduled for October 17 at 7:40 p.m. EDT." 

Revised 2016.10.16 to include references for future launch photography.

Depending upon whether we have clear skies, the nighttime launch of the Antares rocket from Wallops Island will be visible from Fairfax.  A view of the horizon is possible from a spot at the Pickett Shopping Center in Fairfax City, behind the Fedex on the delivery ramp, looking southeast over Route 236 heading toward Annandale.  The earliest launch time is this Sunday at 8:03 pm.

Original Post 2016.10.15

Attached is a photo taken three years ago with a point-and-shoot from the Fedex location of another launch from Wallops, a composite of 15-second exposures with a 15-second, noise-reducing dark screen between each exposure.  This launch was in an easterly direction, hence the rocket appears to be traveling right to left.  Today’s Antares launch will be in a southeasterly direction, so, since Wallops is southeast of us, the rocket may appear to be traveling almost straight up.

Visibility Map and Other Details
(Be aware of the mouse-over ads embedded in the double-underscored text of this site.)
http://www.space.com/34348-nighttime-private-rocket-launch-east-coast-visibility.html

Launch Status
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/home

Cloud Maps
Weather Underground WunderMap: https://www.wunderground.com/wundermap
Clear Sky Chart: http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/WashingtonDCkey.html

General Information
http://www.space.com


No Longer Available:
Infrared Satellite: https://www.wunderground.com/maps/us/IRSatellite.html
Visible Satellite: https://www.wunderground.com/maps/us/VisSatellite.html
Visibility: https://www.wunderground.com/maps/us/Visibility.htm
Zoom Satellite: https://www.wunderground.com/satellite/vis/1k/US.html

LADEE Launch from Wallops, Viewed from Fairfax, 2013.09.06

"Zoom Satellite" Image

LADEE Flight Path Viewed from The Lincoln Memorial