L-72 hours and counting

[Bobrogg]

Hi all,
Well I find myself at the equator one again. We are getting ready to start the L-72 hour clock for a June 28th launch of Telstar 18, so if you are interested in seeing a live web cast of the launch check out www.sea-launch.com web site for more information. Currently the launch is scheduled for 20:58:00 PST on the 28th. (03:58:00 June 29th GMT). Wish us luck!

 

[Bobrogg]

Where is Bob? L-72 photo

 

[Elapid]

far out!
(way far!)
good luck!!!!!!!!

 

[Bobrogg]

L-40 hrs and counting, everything is looking good.

 

[llickteig1]

Best of Luck from a land-locked fellow Boeing employee!

--Lance.

 

[Bobrogg]

L-10 hours and counting!

Log on to www.sea-launch.com to view a webcast of the launch. 20:58:00 PDT June 28th (03:58:00 GMT June 29th).

 

[jetra2]

Ok, I'm pretty bad at converting the time...so what time would this be EST?

Thanx,
Jason

 

[llickteig1]

I assume you want EDT (not EST)

3 hours difference between West Coast and East Coast.

20:58:00 PDT June 28th - 3 hours = 17:58:00 EDT which is 5:58PM.

HTH, --Lance.

 

[jetra2]

EDT? WTH is that?! I'm talking about Eastern Standard Time...

Jasonq

 

[daveyfire]

Eastern Daylight Time... unless you live in one of those weird states that doesn't observe daylight savings!

I think you have the conversion backwards, Lance... out here in CA we always see the NYC New Years' celebration at 9:00. For this launch, 20:58:00 PDT is equal to 23:58:00 EDT.

 

[Rocketman248]

I'm watching it right now. Wow! What a liftoff!

 

[Elapid]

woohoo!
congratulations!

 

[Bobrogg]

Thanks all,
We put a lot of work into this launch and we are very happy things worked out. I'm tired and heading for bed.

 

[Bobrogg]

Thought you all would like to see the lift-off photo.

 

[Bobrogg]

DARN! let me try this again.

 

[Bobrogg]

Photo number 2. View from the command ship

 

[Rocketman248]

Other than the cool factor, what's the benefit of launching from the water?

 

[Bobrogg]

By launching at the equator the rocket gets a 1000 mph boost from the rotation of the earth, which means you can use a smaller rocket to lift a larger payload into orbit. Also, by launching in the middle of the ocean we avoid shipping, aircraft, and land hazards that NASA and others have to contend with.

 

[Bobrogg]

For those who missed the live broadcast of the launch and still would like to see it, you can go to www.sea-launch.com under current mission (TEL-18) to the launch coverage icon to view the archived mission webcast. Take a look and enjoy!