@S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC.ARPA:dave@RIACS.ARPA (05/30/85)
From: Dave Gehrt <dave@RIACS.ARPA> I was at the Riverside Telescope Makers Conference at Big Bear (in the mountains above San Bernardino, CA) over the Memorial Day weekend, and Saturday evening witnessed a fairly spectacular rocket multiple launch from some location to the west. There were about 1300 witnesses at this one location, so I am reasonably confident that many telescopes ended up being trained on this display. What I observed was what appeared to be two vehicles launched just at dusk, about 1 minute apart. I followed the vehicles with the naked eye at first. I then switched to telescopic observation of the first vehicle launched and followed it until it appeared as a bright pinpoint of light headed in a southerly direction, whereupon I lost it behind a tree. Other observers said that the second vehicle staged, and then disappeared (range safety problem?). In the following days announcements were made that (a) there was no launch (b) it was a tactical missle launch (singular). Also, the origin was variously attributed to VAFB, and Pt. Mugu. Does anyone know what we all saw? I have to say that it was the most beautiful fireworks display I have ever witnessed. ----------
@S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC.ARPA:Lynn.ES@Xerox.ARPA (05/31/85)
From: Lynn.ES@Xerox.ARPA I was also at RTMC, but was inside during the launch display. What I gathered from people outside, radio and newspaper reports was this. Vandenberg did not have a launch (though a radio report quoted a source at Edwards as saying they did). There was a launch (reported singular) from submarine using the test range off the California coast controlled by Pt Mugu. It was seen from as far as Arizona. In addition to your description, several witnesses stated that the first vehicle eventually split into 5 vehicles which individually looped and otherwise maneuvered. /Don Lynn
karn@petrus.UUCP (06/03/85)
Wonderful. You got to see a preview of the end of the world. Phil