The image on the left is a simulation of the Delta II powered trajectory in GoogleEarth, the red portion is the solid rocket boosters; the image on the right is the actual SBIRS photo with the outline of Florida highlighted. The US Air Force released the on-orbit checkout picture for SBIRS HEO 2 on 20 …
SBIRS— Signal and Background
by | 2008-12-15 | 3 Comments
Before analyzing the two SBIRS–HEO images, its necessary to review a little of phenomenology associated with viewing rocket plumes in the infrared. That’s because there are some surprising effects that show up very well in both these photos that, perhaps, most people would not be aware of. In particular, I’m thinking of the “trough” a …
SBIRS—Wow!!
by | 2008-12-12 | 6 Comments
This post has been updated as of 4:02 pm on Friday. Sometimes you see a picture that is simply so amazing you have trouble believing it is real. That was the case with two images the Air Force released from its SBIRS–HEO on-orbit checkout. I found them so amazing on so many different levels! My …
MDA Test Oddities
by | 2008-12-11 | 10 Comments
I am close to posting on the most recent Missile Defense Agency flight test (FTG-05). In case you wonder why this is taking me literally days to work through (with lots of help from David Wright), read these statements by new MDA Director General Patrick O’Reilly. Good afternoon, or as Mr. Whitman said, almost good …
