A bit of a mystery

GoldenRivet · 11-09-10, 04:19 PM

Here is an interesting question...

Where did this "missile" end up?

Oberon · 11-09-10, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

Here is an interesting question...

Where did this "missile" end up?

A few theories, one of which indicates the Alaskan test ranges, however it's quite possible it either stayed in orbit or splashed into the Pacific.

Has anyone heard from Seattle lately?

11-09-10, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

A few theories, one of which indicates the Alaskan test ranges, however it's quite possible it either stayed in orbit or splashed into the Pacific.

Has anyone heard from Seattle lately?

Alaska? LA is not even close. And that type of contrail wouldn't be visible. The earth is still round isn't it?

11-09-10, 04:27 PM

The old Sprint missile decommissioned during the Nixon Admin., leaves no long range contrail like last evenings event.

Oberon · 11-09-10, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

The old Sprint missile decommissioned during the Nixon Admin., leaves no long range contrail like last evenings event.

Yeah, I don't think it was an interceptor missile. A target for one, perhaps, but no, if it's not a plane contrail then it definitely looks like the smoke from a ballistic missile.

11-09-10, 04:33 PM

The Pentagon knows exactly what is going on. There are just too many sensors for them not to know.

An example.... Pave/Paws locations

Beale AFB certainly saw the launch.

Oberon · 11-09-10, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Third Man

Alaska? LA is not even close. And that type of contrail wouldn't be visible. The earth is still round isn't it?

D-5s range is +4000 miles, well within range, furthermore the boost phase of an SLBM is rather visible.

Particularly considering the sun was behind it, IIRC, which means that it's silhouetted even more.

Still, it's a pretty stupid place to fire from if you're not going to flat trajectory into a city, talk about give away your position.

11-09-10, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

D-5s range is +4000 miles, well within range, furthermore the boost phase of an SLBM is rather visible.

Particularly considering the sun was behind it, IIRC, which means that it's silhouetted even more.

Still, it's a pretty stupid place to fire from if you're not going to flat trajectory into a city, talk about give away your position.

I'm closer to Florida than Alaska is to LA and I cannot see Shuttle launches. But the SRBs are about the same as ICBM propulsors.

Oberon · 11-09-10, 04:48 PM

The launch itself must have taken place within 35 miles of LA for them to have seen it, this much we must surely both be able to agree on.

Where Alaska comes in, I meant as its destination, not its launch site.

Agreed on the sensors though, plus there are satellites IIRC which can spot the IR heat pulse from the boost phase of an SLBM or ICBM which then set off numerous alarms down the chain, scrambling the SAC, flushing the boomers, throwing the VP or whoever is next on the chain of command onto Kneecap. There should have been a rush of activity and a spike to DEFCON 3 at the very, very, very lowest, none of this happened.

Now either the US alert system has fallen apart since the end of the Cold War or this was a planned launch, or...as it's looking more and more likely, it's an aircraft contrail.

XabbaRus · 11-09-10, 04:51 PM

Damn RA mod for Dangerous Waters...with playable boomers.....

krashkart · 11-09-10, 04:56 PM

I'm not buying the aircraft contrail theory. Too much fire at the head of the exhaust column.

11-09-10, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

or...as it's looking more and more likely, it's an aircraft contrail.

Having seen thousands of contrails from oncoming and passing aircraft, I can tell you that is not from a piloted aircraft. Because contrails from launch point indicates a temperature so high above the dew point, and with so much unburned particulates, only a missile could produce it.

Contrail = Condensation Trail

krashkart · 11-09-10, 04:46 PM

I'm hoping that this was a test launch that suffered a communications breakdown.

11-09-10, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krashkart

I'm hoping that this was a test launch that suffered a communications breakdown.

Which is a whole other problem when it comes to nuke delivery vehicles.

Heads will roll!

11-09-10, 04:19 PM	#1
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	Here is an interesting question... Where did this "missile" end up? __________________

11-09-10, 04:33 PM	#6
The Third Man Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	The Pentagon knows exactly what is going on. There are just too many sensors for them not to know. An example.... Pave/Paws locations Beale AFB certainly saw the launch. Last edited by The Third Man; 11-09-10 at 04:46 PM.

11-09-10, 04:51 PM	#10
XabbaRus Navy Seal Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 5,330 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Damn RA mod for Dangerous Waters...with playable boomers..... __________________

11-09-10, 04:27 PM	#4
The Third Man Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	The old Sprint missile decommissioned during the Nixon Admin., leaves no long range contrail like last evenings event.

11-09-10, 04:48 PM	#9
Oberon Lucky Jack Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 25,976 Downloads: 61 Uploads: 20	The launch itself must have taken place within 35 miles of LA for them to have seen it, this much we must surely both be able to agree on. Where Alaska comes in, I meant as its destination, not its launch site. Agreed on the sensors though, plus there are satellites IIRC which can spot the IR heat pulse from the boost phase of an SLBM or ICBM which then set off numerous alarms down the chain, scrambling the SAC, flushing the boomers, throwing the VP or whoever is next on the chain of command onto Kneecap. There should have been a rush of activity and a spike to DEFCON 3 at the very, very, very lowest, none of this happened. Now either the US alert system has fallen apart since the end of the Cold War or this was a planned launch, or...as it's looking more and more likely, it's an aircraft contrail.

11-09-10, 04:56 PM	#11
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	I'm not buying the aircraft contrail theory. Too much fire at the head of the exhaust column.

11-09-10, 04:46 PM	#13
krashkart Navy Seal Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 5,292 Downloads: 100 Uploads: 0	I'm hoping that this was a test launch that suffered a communications breakdown.