VAFB ROCKET LAUNCHES:

There are numerous rocket launches that occur throughout the year that you may watch from Vandenberg AFB observation areas just north and south of the base.  Some, but not all launches, may be viewable from Santa Barbara.  You may call the Vandenberg Launch Update Hotline at 805-606-1857 or visit www.vandenberg.af.mil/questions/topic.asp?id=745 for specific launch information.  The general public is not permitted on base for rocket launches, however, you may view the launch from a designated viewing area just outside the base.  See below for directions.  For more information on VAFB operations in general, visit www.vandenberg.af.mil.  A great website for more detailed info on specific rocket launch info and news, go to http://spaceflightnow.com/.

Directions to Launch Viewing Area: 
The public viewing site for Vandenberg launches is off of Corral Road near Vandenberg's main gate. To access the area, take Highway 1 to the Santa Maria Gate and proceed on Lompoc Casmalia Road.  At the barriers, turn right onto Corral Road and bear left to the top. The launch countdown net and port-o-lets are set up near the bleachers.   It is important that you call the Vandenberg Launch Update Hotline at 805-606-1857 to determine if the launch will be easily viewed from this location.  Some launches may occur in other areas not easily accessible to the general public.

You may receive Extra Credit for viewing a rocket launch on location (on site) at VAFB.  A short essay (approx one page long or about500 words in length) outlining the days events and your thoughts about the rocket launch along with information on the payload must be submitted to receive credit.  Be sure to identify the type of rocket launched and research the payload.  In addition to the information provided by the VAFB web sites, for scientific missions, you can often google for more information.  IMPORTANT: To receive credit for this activity, you must go to VAFB.  It is not sufficient to see the launch from Santa Barbara, Goleta, Gaviota, Santa Maria, or Lompoc.

For fun, to confirm your viewing of the rocket, try to take a photo of you standing at the VAFB Observation site with the rocket taking off in the background.  OK, that may be asking for a lot, but you can try.  You may also receive partial credit (5 pts) for rocket launches that are canceled (since this does occur from time to time), provided that you went to the VAFB Observation Area as instructed.  Write up your experiences just the same and turn in for credit.

EXTRA CREDIT = 7 PTS (Depending on your write up and research of the rocket and payload)
EXTRA CREDIT LIMIT OF ONE ROCKET LAUNCH PER SEMESTER!

EXTRA CREDIT QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED USING MOODLE!
Instructions given in class on how to do this.