Last night's test of the missile defense system last night was apparently a success. They're apparently expanding the test envelope. This one was against a non-cooperative target, with a number of decoys.

And for those who weren't fortunate enough to see the show out of Vandenberg, here are some nice pictures, that demonstrate the "twilight effect".

Great pictures!

Back in 1983 I was part of the team that launched IRAS (Infrared Astronomical Satellite) out of Vandenberg, and it was a spectacular sight over LA. It was a twilight launch with a 12 second window because the satellite was solar powered but couldn't look anywhere near the sun or earth. The trajectory was lofted far more than usual because NASA wanted to send a command about a minute after launch from their Goldstone antenna.

The first stage was pretty impressive, a pillar of fire, but the second stage was awsome, a huge expanding plume in which you could clearly see sputtering as it neared cut off. The crowd of nerdy engineers up on the roof in Huntington Beach oohed and aahed. The old timers claimed it was the best of any shot they'd seen.

The local news showed video that night, but only of the first stage. I don't know if they turned the cameras off during the gap between the two stages, or if the second stage display just didn't show up well on video.

This was the prettiest launch I have seen.

The view from three miles out was unbelievable. Its one of the benefits of being on the final arming crew.