Air Force Minotaur Rocket Launching from Virginia Tue. Nov. 19

[DCAKen]

And there’s now an Android app that will point you in the direction of Wallops to watch the launch.

[creadinger]

So where are you folks going to go to see it? I was thinking Gravely Point initially, but maybe the east side of the Wilson bridge makes more sense – It’s a teeny bit closer and more elevated.

I tried to see a launch a few months ago but didn’t see anything.

[cyclingfool]

@creadinger 69539 wrote:

So where are you folks going to go to see it? I was thinking Gravely Point initially, but maybe the east side of the Wilson bridge makes more sense – It’s a teeny bit closer and more elevated.

I tried to see a launch a few months ago but didn’t see anything.

Not sure I’ll be able to get out to see it, but when I went to see the ISS cargo test launch a few months ago, I got a good view of it from the east side of the US1 bridge over the railroad tracks between Slaters Lane and Potomac Avenue. I ended up being one of a group of about 20 gathered there to watch. It is well elevated and gave a pretty good view.

Since it looks like you’re in Crystal City, that seems like it would be a convenient location to get to quickly. I live in Del Ray, so it was a super close trip for me.

[creadinger]

@cyclingfool 69543 wrote:

I got a good view of it from the east side of the US1 bridge over the railroad tracks between Slaters Lane and Potomac Avenue. I ended up being one of a group of about 20 gathered there to watch. It is well elevated and gave a pretty good view.

Ooohh! That is a good spot. WAY closer than the Wilson bridge too. I think I’ll head there.

@cyclingfool 69543 wrote:

Since it looks like you’re in Crystal City, that seems like it would be a convenient location to get to quickly. I live in Del Ray, so it was a super close trip for me.

I’m actually in Del Ray now. You’re in Del Ray too? Nice! I see dozens of cyclists riding up and down Commonwealth on work days so maybe I’ve seen you.

[cyclingfool]

@creadinger 69545 wrote:

I’m actually in Del Ray now. You’re in Del Ray too? Nice! I see dozens of cyclists riding up and down Commonwealth on work days so maybe I’ve seen you.

I do live in Del Ray, near Fireflies (Mt Vernon and E Nelson). I used to take Commonwealth every day. I got bored with the route so I started mixing it up by riding over to and up Potomac Avenue behind Potomac Yard and through Crystal City. This route is especially helpful now that there is talk of the closures on 4MR between US1 and the MVT. I don’t even have to worry about Four Mile Run, and the traffic on Potomac Avenue is generally very light, so it’s a nice ride.

I occasionally take Commonwealth nowadays, usually to drop something off at the library or just to mix it up from the other route. If you see a mid-1990s vintage black Trek 830 mountain bike converted to drop bar tourer/commuter, I’ll be the guy on it. Feel free to say hi.

[GB]

@cyclingfool 69554 wrote:

If you see a mid-1990s vintage black Trek 830 mountain bike converted to drop bar tourer/commuter

Can we get a pic of that?

[creadinger]

@cyclingfool 69554 wrote:

I do live in Del Ray, near Fireflies (Mt Vernon and E Nelson). I used to take Commonwealth every day. I got bored with the route so I started mixing it up by riding over to and up Potomac Avenue behind Potomac Yard and through Crystal City. This route is especially helpful now that there is talk of the closures on 4MR between US1 and the MVT. I don’t even have to worry about Four Mile Run, and the traffic on Potomac Avenue is generally very light, so it’s a nice ride.

We’re near the top of the hill on Landover on the opposite side of Del Ray. I love the 13% climb to get home everyday….

I’m riding up Potomac Ave now due to the 4MR closures, but the detour is a 1/2 mile longer and (the worst part) adds 8(!) stoplights/stopsigns. I may give Eads a shot next time. With all the development going on in Potomac Yards, Potomac Ave and Crystal Drive probably won’t be bike friendly for much longer.

[cyclingfool]

@GregBain 69559 wrote:

Can we get a pic of that?

Complete photostream here. Only change since last pic was swapping out the Michelins for Schwalbe tires.

It’s a work in progress still; I plan on eventually adding a front rack, a Brooks saddle, and rebuilding the front wheel with a dynamo hub w/ associated lighting.

[PotomacCyclist]

I had a clear view of the rocket from Long Bridge Park in September. That’s where I filmed this video:

[video=vimeo;73990411]https://vimeo.com/73990411[/video]

I used a standard consumer digital camera. Nothing fancy although it does have 10X optical zoom.

[PotomacCyclist]

Update from the Wallops Flight Facility, around 2 pm today:

Great day for a launch from Wallops. The countdown has started and we are just under 6 hours until launch of the Air Force Minotaur 1 for the ORS-3 mission. Live coverage begins at 6:30 p.m. EST for the 7:30 launch at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-tv/wallops. It can also be seen on NASA TV at http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv

https://www.facebook.com/NASAWFF

[PotomacCyclist]

Countdown was put on hold, but the launch is still on. New time of 8:15 pm (updated around 7:20 pm).

https://www.facebook.com/OrbitalSciencesCorp

[peterw_diy]

@cyclingfool 69543 wrote:

when I went to see the ISS cargo test launch a few months ago, I got a good view of it from the east side of the US1 bridge over the railroad tracks between Slaters Lane and Potomac Avenue.

I might see some of y’all there. What’s the trajectory? Launch should be E/SE but then which way is it headed? S toward the equator?

[PotomacCyclist]

Last time, it appeared to head east, maybe even ENE although I’m not exactly sure. The rocket faded from view as it rose higher in the sky.

[rcannon100]

You can listen in to flight command here http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/ors3/status.html

[PotomacCyclist]

11,700 mph. That’s kinda fast.

12,400 mph is even faster. Wow.

[Author]

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