MISSILE DEFENSE TEST SCHEDULED
updated: Jan 24, 2013, 9:08 PM

By Launch Alert

The 30th Space Wing and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency are scheduled to conduct a flight test exercising elements of the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense system Jan. 26, between the hours of 2 and 6 p.m on North base.

Col. Nina Armagno, 30th Space Wing commander, is the Launch Decision Authority.

"Vandenberg Hawks are working with MDA to provide safe launch operations for the test," " said Armagno."It's a pleasure to work with our MDA mission partners."

The test will involve the launch of a three-stage Ground-Based Interceptor missile. It does not involve an intercept, and no target missile will be launched. MDA will use the test results to improve and enhance the GMD element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System, designed to defend the Nation, deployed forces, friends and allies from ballistic missile attacks, according to an MDA spokesperson.

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LAUNCH VISIBILITY

Under good conditions, Saturday's launch should visible to the unaided eye for a radius of approximately 50 miles. Experienced observers who know where and when to look, and what to look for, might see the launch from as far away as 100 miles.

http://www.spacearchive.info/newsletter.htm.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 367288P	2013-01-25 09:16 AM
Where is the best place to watch the launch from Santa Barbara South Coast area??
COMMENT 367291P	2013-01-25 09:18 AM
I wonder if this has anything to do with N. Korea's latest threats....? Probably.
COMMENT 367360	2013-01-25 11:06 AM
Defense budget is 50% plus under Obama? Military Industrial Complex in full swing. Things do not change under the 2 party system.
COMMENT 367380	2013-01-25 11:38 AM
291 - Vandenburg's benefit it launches from there go south allowing polar orbits. Being the N. Korea is to the north, this test has nothing to do with them.
COMMENT 367386P	2013-01-25 11:44 AM
Only 25% of the posts above are useful or informative. See if you can guess which one!
COMMENT 367390	2013-01-25 11:49 AM
360 - Actually all military and DOD spending, including interest on past war debts, is on the order of 37% of the 2012 budget. Not saying this is good or bad, but you should be accurate.
COMMENT 367711P	2013-01-26 11:07 AM
for every dollar they declare in the defense budget there's a couple more spent that you never get to hear about.

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