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To: JMD who wrote (5287)	2/6/1999 11:53:00 AM
From: Mr. Adrenaline	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10852

Not a dumb question at all. the problem with Vandenberg AFB is that it can inject only into a polar orbit. Unless the customer is willing to do a "big dog leg" like G* is going to do here at the end of this year. That cost really big dollars, and is a hit in payload mass as well. Polar orbits have been heretofore useless for commercial markets. Iridium changed that, and Teledesic will (likely) use polar orbits, too. Time will tell if the fad catches on. (It's not really a fad -- polar orbits have advantages and disadvantages. I think G*'s orbit is superior, but I'm biased.) Mr A

To: JMD who wrote (5287)	2/7/1999 7:20:00 PM
From: Valueman	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 10852

JMD: Here's another reason Vandenberg has launch constraints. I would imagine that the settlement for rocket parts to the head would make the hot McDonalds coffee on the loin lawsuit look trivial. SCRUB. A scrub has just been called for today's launch attempt because of the Range constraint with the predicted impact point for the solid rocket motor nozzle covers. Computer models indicated upper air winds would allow the covers to fall in a populated area today. Another launch attempt is expected tomorrow. The launch window will open at 5:39 a.m. EST (1039 GMT). Today's postponement is the eighth for this mission.

To: JMD who wrote (5287)	2/8/1999 11:11:00 AM
From: Jeff Vayda	Respond to of 10852

JMD: Add to that the fact that the US Government controls the launch area. It is getting better but it is still a long and expensive proposition to meet all the requirements for a launch from a US launch site. Everything is reviewed by government agencies or their delegates, all of whom have the authority to say No. (but sadly no responsibility to say Yes or many times even what constitutes a Yes!) Simply, it is not an industry friendly affair. Many of the big players have been through the hoops before with DoD payloads so it is not as big a deal, they have massive infrastructure in place (and ultimately paid for by the US government) to handle the requirements. But for a new player to come in it is a major expense. Many other reasons, just add it to the pile. Jeff Vayda