U.S. rocket launch over Nfld. back on

ST. JOHN'S, NFLD. - A planned U.S. rocket launch over Newfoundland that caused the evacuation of offshore oil platforms has been rescheduled for Wednesday, the U.S. State Department says.

The launch of the Titan IV rocket from Cape Canaveral, Fla., originally scheduled for Monday, will go ahead two days later than planned because a technical problem has been fixed, an official with the State Department said.

The 10-tonne booster is expected to crash into an area within 27 kilometres of the Hibernia platform.

Earlier, Maj. Adriane Craig, a public affairs officer with the 45th Space Wing of the U.S. air force, says the mission was delayed because of a fuel-loading problem.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/08/missile050408.html

Left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing?

Apparently they don't know what's been going on about the evacuation, and reassurances.

If the US hits all that oil....

I don't mention the people because no one seems to care what happens to them, but they might care about the oil.

a 'better' option..?

A little shot across the bow from Bush, since Canada didn't go along with his ballistic missile defense fantasy.

Thats assuming that the rocket would even have enough room to store it.

Missile launch spurs more concern in Nfld.

ST. JOHN'S, Nfld. — Newfoundland's offshore industry renewed preparations for evacuation Friday amid conflicting reports regarding the U.S. Defense Department's plans to launch a rocket that could endanger oil platforms on the North Atlantic.

The Monday morning launch of the Titan IV rocket was delayed on Thursday amid concerns that a 10,000-kilogram spent booster rocket could fall within 25 kilometres of the Hibernia oil platform on the Grand Banks.

snip

The U.S. State Department said Friday that the launch would go ahead April 13. But the U.S. Air Force Space Command said there was no definitive date.

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Neither the air force nor the State Department would say whether the planned flight path would or could change.

more

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1112989476152_5/?hub=Canada

1. What, if any, involvement does NORAD have in this?
2. How long does it take to shut down the site, say in the event of a natural weather event that could result in pollution of the area?

is this little tidbit:

"Graham said he became aware of the rocket launch earlier this week, in a bulletin routinely issued as notice of where missile or booster rocket debris might land following a launch.

Such warnings are usually for the benefit of ships, but in this case oil platforms can't be moved so easily."

Here's the link to the article titled: U.S. postpones missile test indefinitely

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1112899545515_108308745/?hub=Canada

This leads me to believe we were left out in the cold re any heads-up because they are in a snit about our decision not to participate in this boondoggle.

Good question about NORAD. Seeing as NORAD is still a shared responsibility between Canada and the US, one would think they would have given the Canadian government a heads-up on this.

Conflicting reports emerge over U.S. rocket launch

ST. JOHN'S, NFLD. - U.S. officials are making conflicting statements on plans to launch a rocket from Florida over Newfoundland next week, while at least one oil platform on the Grand Banks resumed evacuation plans.

Edgar Vasquez, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said the Titan IVB rocket launch will be launched Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, two days later than planned.

However, Capt. Joe Macri, of the Air Force Space Command in Colorado, said Friday that no date has yet been set.

The Titan IVB mission is to be directed by the Pentagon's National Reconnaissance Office, a branch of the U.S. intelligence network.

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/04/08/missile050408.html

Seems like too many cooks in the kitchen. And the head cheese is out of the country.

Seems like things are really screwed up. Hope the finger on the button is safe.