spunbearing

The first Delta4 rocket launched from the west coast went up last night with a secret payload. This is a pretty big rocket. 200-230 feet tall depending on how it's configured. I tried to get some pictures but by the time I heard it rumbling and put my dogs away and grabbed the camera I only got a shot of the con-trail.
I took several shots of the missile when it dropped the solid rocket motors but my camera was on the wrong setting. By the time I figured it out it was too late. Kind of interesting history on the launch pad ( slick 6). It was built on a chumash indian burial ground and a chumash leader put a curse on slick 6. Since then they have had many failed launches from slick 6. They decided to tempt fate again and had a successful launch this time. They aren't as loud as the titan 4 but the delta does rumble pretty good.

spunbearing

Heres a couple of links on the delta 4 and SLC-6 ( space launch complex 6) or slick 6 as it is commonly called. These links give more detailed info for anyone that is interested.

http://www.boeing.com/defense-space/...ta4/delta4.htm

http://www.fas.org/spp/military/prog.../sts_slc-6.htm

Dieseldude4x4

Very interesting.

spunbearing

By the way the main engine on the delta 4 is 14 million horsepower.