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From: @S1-A.ARPA,@MIT-MC.ARPA:dave@RIACS.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Strange launch, and stranger announcements
Message-ID: <1997@mordor.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 30-May-85 14:01:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: mordor.1997
Posted: Thu May 30 14:01:44 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 2-Jun-85 07:26:49 EDT
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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.
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