Re: METOP launch Monday -- unusual trajectory


"Jim Oberg" <jameseoberg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote
Launch is set for Monday -- take a look at
the unusual ascent trajectory, and follow the
plot out a few more thousand miles....


Today's planned launch of a European weather satellite,
on a Russian rocket, that would have passed
directly over central United States, has been
cancelled due to a fuelling problem about one hour
before blast-off.

They may be able to try again tomorrow.

The exact path across North America is
southwards over winnipeg, Denver, El Paso then
over Mexico.

I.E., almost direrctly over Cheyenne Mountain, home
of the North American Air Defense HQ.

Fortunately, they are aware the never-before-used
flight path is entirely peaceful. No startling surprises.


.