From: "Jacques van Oene" Newsgroups: sci.space.news Subject: Minuteman III launch from Vandenberg Date: Mon, 05 Feb 2001 20:13:43 GMT Organization: chello broadband Approved: sci-space-news@zagami.jpl.nasa.gov Message-ID: charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Trace: nntp1.jpl.nasa.gov 981404147 10684 137.79.50.27 (5 Feb 2001 20:15:47 GMT) X-Complaints-To: news@newsfeed.jpl.nasa.gov NNTP-Posting-Date: 5 Feb 2001 20:15:47 GMT X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2615.200 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2615.200 Originator: daemon@zagami.jpl.nasa.gov Xref: newsread2.funet.fi sci.space.news:4232 2 February 2001 RELEASE NUMBER 01-0201 MINUTEMAN III LAUNCH VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CA - An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile will be launched from north Vandenberg Wednesday as part of the Force Development Evaluation Program. The launch window is scheduled from 12:01 to 6:01 a.m. PST. The purpose of this launch is to test the reliability and accuracy of the weapon system. The missile will be launched by a task force from the 341st Space Wing, Malmstrom AFB, Mont. Launch activities will be directed by Capt. Phillip Opela, 576th Flight Test Squadron. Col. Richard A. Strathearn, 30th Space Wing vice commander, will be the spacelift commander. Maintenance members from the 341st SW and the 576th FLTS, led by Lt. Col. Jodie Bliss, conducted all maintenance activities for the launch. The missiles three unarmed re-entry vehicles are expected to travel approximately 4,200 miles in about 30 minutes, hitting a pre-determined target at the Kwajalein Missile Range in the western chain of the Marshall Islands. The nation's ICBMs are a key component of global stability - a safe, secure, affordable weapon system that delivers deterrence. MEDIA ADVISORY: Media who want to cover the event must arrive at the Main Gate Visitor's Center no later than 11 p.m., Tuesday for escort to the viewing area. Members who plan to attend should call Staff Sgt. Rebecca Bonilla at (805) 606-3595. - 30 SW - -- Jacques :-) "One thing about the speed of light... It usually arives too early in the morning". My spaceflight History Homepage: http://www.jacqmans.com