Santa Maria Times from Santa Maria, California • 8

A-8 Saturday, Sept. 27, 1997 Santa Maria Times ROADS: DELTA: Iridium halfway I I onlooker's thrill. "It was good," said Lompoc Valley resident Katie Wood, 9, adding she best liked the "fire part at the bottom." Sites around the Central Coast had clearer skies, allowing onlookers to track the rocket's progress for a longer time. An hour after the launch, the colorful contrail swirled in the sky, drawing eyes upward. The $5 billion project is funded by an international consortium.

Twenty of the orbiting Iridium satellites rode aboard Delta 2 rockets from Vandenberg. Fourteen headed to space from the former Soviet Union aboard Russian-built Proton rockets. The next five Iridium satellites will ride aboard a Delta 2 rocket N6v7 8. The i first launch on a Chinese Long March rocket is set for December. 1 Continued from page A-1 lites in orbit said Iridium spokesman John Windolph, adding officials are looking forward to the remainder of the satellites reaching orbit and starting commercial service in September 1998.

Iridium is a wireless personal telecommunications network designed to offer worldwide coverage for voice, data, fax and paging services. A high blanket of fog hovered over the launch site with the sun glinting off the ocean behind the launch pad. Cheers from a crowd of onlookers quickly turned to groans as the approximately 13-story rocket disappeared into the clouds. Another cheer erupted later when a hole in the fast-moving marine layer allowed another quick glimpse for some viewers. The brief view didn't deter one Continued from page A-1 And Bradley and Nicholson roads both highway-feeder streets -were realigned and, in one case, removed.

"Now you don't see the long queues forming as they used to in the past with those stop-signed intersections," Kemp said. "Now access at the truck stop and (Chevron and Mobil) gas stations has been greatly improved Because this and other Measure projects have come in under budget and because the state economy continues to improve the Association of Governments has moved up work on other local projects by as, much as three years, Kemp said. Planning will begin in January for bridge replacement and ramp realignment of the Stowell Road and Donovan Road- interchanges- Construction originally planned for 2005 now is scheduled for 2002. Work on the Main Street interchange ended earlier this year. The Stowell project is tentatively budgeted at $3.4 million; The Donovan Reconstruction is exrjected to Matthew LlddlTimes A Delta 2 rocket lifts off from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying Iridium satellites.

LEWIS: Continued from page A-1 An orbit is now taking less than 89 minutes, U.S. Space Command officials said. Lewis headed to orbit Aug. 22 aboard the Lockheed Martin Launch Vehicle, now renamed Athena, from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The satellite, which was named for Meriwether Lewis, the 19th-century explorer of America's west, marked the first successful launch from the new small rocket along with the first successful liftoff from the former space shuttle facility at Vandenberg.

However, a few days after launch, Lewis began a slow spin. That meant solar arrays could not generate full power, and the batteries discharged. Ground controllers failed in several attempts to send 'cohimands to "rescue tisalellite. TRW built Lewis for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "We are saddened by the fact the mission hasn't turned out the way we hoped," said TRW spokeswoman Sally Koris.

"It's disappointing to us." The 890-pound satellite, which is relatively small and doesn't have a heat shield, isn't expected to survive re-entry, according to officials. Lewis, a $65 million Earth-observation satellite, would have demonstrated various advanced technologies. The spacecraft was designed to survive at least three years. TRW will appoint a review board to investigate the problem, which NASA initially blamed on an excessive thruster firing on one side. Membership of TRW's review team, which will conduct a parallel investigation with a NASA failure board, hasn't been determined.

TRW expects its review into the failure will take 60 days. The loss of Lewis marks the first on-orbit failure for a TRW spacecraft in more than 20 years, that company's officials said. Secretive Titan launch now off indefinitely By Janene Scully Times Staff Writer Then, a leak of dangerous nitrogen tetroxide, a fuel oxidizer, forced evacuation of the launch pad and further delayed liftoff. Cleaning solution residue that reacted badly with the nitrogen tetroxide ruined seals and required valves to be removed from Titan 4 As in California and Florida. The valves were shipped back to the factory to be disassembled and cleaned before being cleared for flight.

Officials had hoped to get the Vandenberg Titan 4A rocket off first, followed by the Oct. 13 Titan 4B launch from Florida with the controversial Cassini spacecraft for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Another Titan 4A, tentatively set for Nov. 1, would carry another NRO payload from Florida. That tight schedule would mark the first time so many Titan 4 launches had occurred so close together, according to Titan manufacturer Lockheed Martin Astronautics.

Air Force officials would only say they had planned for the launch to occur in late September or early October. The National Reconnaissance Office previously claimed ownership of the spy satellite. NRO, which is co-owned by the Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency, provides overhead reconnaissance of the world. An NRO spokesman only confirmed a "slight delay due to a payload issue." A launch date had not been set previously and no firm date exists yet, the spokesman added. Space program analysts predict the Titan will carry another Lacrosse radar imaging satellite.

Once planned for mid-July, an inertial measurement unit problem first delayed the Titan 4 rocket launch. With another classified payload awaiting launch from Florida, NRO ruled the Vandenberg rocket would remain in first place on the launch manifest. cost about $5.6 million, Kemp said. "Its a big improvement over the original schedule," Kemp said. Still, the Bettcravia project itself lagged a bit'; Most of the improvements were completed three months ago.

The final hurdle, installation of the traffic signals, ended up delaying the final completion date somewhat, Kemp said. A grand opening is scheduled for mid-November. When the project began in October 1995, it was expected to take 17 months to complete. It actually took close to two years. Torres said it was worth the wait.

"I drive it every day and (the traffic's) moving consistently," he said. "It's not backed up to the government center the way it used to." VANDENBERG AFB A problem with its top-secret payload will keep the Titan 4A rocket on the ground at Vandenberg Air Force Base indefinitely, officials confirmed. The launch, already delayed by two previous rocket-related problems, once was targeted for a Tuesday takeoff. The 4th Space Launch Squadron requested that date several weeks ago. However, signs around the valley hint that the launch of the 20-story rocket won't occur Tuesday.

Although secrecy surrounding Titan 4 rockets has eased in the past few years, officials are remaining especially tight-lipped about this latest delay and launch. "There currently is no established launch date for. the Titan 4 rocket mission," said Maj. Brad Peck, Vandenberg spokesman. WEATHER NATIONAL FORECAST FOUR-DAY FORECAST The AccuWeather forecast for noon, Saturday, Sept.

27. -10s -0s 08 10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s Bands separate high temperature zones for the day. TUESDAY HI: 74 low: 48 Sunny after morning low clouds and fog. IT TT ttt, V-n MONDAY HI: 75 Low: 50 Sunny after morning low clouds and fog. TODAY Hi: 86 Low: 58 Sunny after morning low clouds and fog.

SUNDAY HI: 89 Low: 57 Sunny after morning low clouds and fog. REGIONAL FORECAST FOR TODAY 9259 FRESNO SAN LUIS OBISPO I 9560 1 1 8860 1 rr PISMO BEACH 9161 7 NJBAKERSFIELD ISANTAMABIAl 8658 solvang 9555 U-v SANTA BARBARA COUNTY CENTRAL COAST Today: Mostly sunny and warmer. Local north to northeast winds 15 to 25 mph below passes and canyons. Tonight: Mostly clear. Local northeast winds 1 5 to 25 mph below passes and canyons.

SANTA YNE2 VALLEY Today: Sunny and warmer. Local north to northeast winds 15 to 25 mph below passes and canyons in the morning. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTAL AREAS Skies clear through Sunday except for patchy low clouds and fog this moming FRONTS. I 1 LOMPOC PUQU I SANTA BARBARA 8660 COLD WARM STATIONARY 1997 AccuWeather, Inc Pressure 0 0 E3 0 HIGH LOW SHOWERS RAIN T-STORMS FLURRIES SNOW ICE SUNNY PT. CLOUDY CLOUDY 1 Via Associated Press TEMPERATURES FOR THE RECORD IN THE WATER NATIONAL Tsmperatures rrtcale previous day hiai and ovemghi lew to 5.33 pmPOT.

HI Lo PrcOOk AfcanyMY 67 55 dr Atuguerque 82 59 dr Amerto 88 52 cdy Arcftcns 52 38 Ashe 70 58 Ot)y Lo Pre 67 63 57 20 63 63 73 62 STATE High. low. precipitation tor 24 hours ending at 5 m. Fnday HI Anaheim 91 BakerefiekJ 86 Eureka 70 Fremont 77 Fresno 87 Indo 91 Lancaster 84 Lrvermore 79 Long Beach 80 MonterjeHo 82 Monterey 75 Neerltes 86 Newhal 82 Newport Baach 77 Oakland 75 Ontario 80 Alarta .70 57 08 ody AtlartcOty 74 53 Austn 87 63 MARINE FORECAST POINT PINOS TO POINT SAL Today: Wind northwest 25 knots. Wind waves 5 feet.

Swell northwest 1 1 feet Patchy moming log Tonight: Wind variable 15 knots Wind waves 2 feet. Swell northwest 1 1 feet. INNER WATERS POINT CONCEPTION TO THE MEXICAN BORDER Winds today light and vanable becoming southwest to west 1 5 knots with wmd waves 2 feet the afternoon. Santa Barbara Channel swell west 10 feet, otherwise swell west 7 feet. Patchy fog early Winds tonight west 15 knots with wmd waves 2 feet becoming northeast 10 knots late except northeast 1 5 to 20 knots below passes and canyons SURF FORECAST LOS ANGELES Surf forecast for various California beaches today Beach Surf Prd Santa Barbara 3 5 15 Ventura 4-7 15 Orange County 4-7 15 San Diego 4 7 15 Swel 9cn West OJOcx tor Sunday Decrease surf and 9bI Water lenperature 64 degrees 62 69 68 56 dr dr dr dr 03 ody dr dr dr dr dr 77 53 86 59 74 67 85 50 68 69 56 88 66 55 51 56 53 Dulum 73 46 ody PiBstxidi ...64 48 .06 dr El Paso 88 64 ody PrUd.Me.

66 45 dr Evansvie ..80 50 dr 65 56 44 cdy Fartanks 59 30 cdy 71 52 dr Fargo ...84 53 ody FUgh-Drhm 77 57 ody Flagstaff 63 56 ody RapdCity 84 53 dr 66 44 ody Reno .....78 47 ctr 83 54 dr Rcrirnond 82 50 01 dr GmsttuNC 77 50 cdy Saoramerto .86 81 dr HrlW-SpgM 72 48 SILous 80 54 ody Helena 83 57 dr SaBLakeOty 72 59 21 cdy HonoUu 89 76 .05 dr SanAmorno 89 58 dr Houston 86 60 dr SanOego 77 70 05 ody Indanapote 75 53 dr 63 dr Jaxson Mss 84 64 04 ody SanJuan.P Ft 81 7B 51 ody Joksorve 81 75 75 SartaFe 79 54 cdy Xreau 52 StSfcMB 66 35 ody KansasCy 82 54 ody Seatte 64 56 50 Las Vegas 81 66 .42 Shrevaport, 85 62 dr UOeRrx 88 62 ody 77 46 ody losAngrtBS .83 71 dr Spokarw 67 65 03 Lousvae 80 56 ody Syfacuea 55 55 07 dr Utttt 87 56 dr Tanp-Sl Pt 79 78 699 MemchB 83 58 cdy TapeM 82 50 ody MaroBeaar) 89 78 30 Tucson 89 89 dr Mdand 89 57 dr TjM 81 55 ody MfcwUw 63 50 cdy Waati.O 77 57 dr .76 48 ody WrJ8 78 53 ody Nwrx 80 52 ody W-Ban 67 53 NmOWs 80 69 ody WrrjjnD 7401 dr NVC 73 59 -a rrt Va 72 58 dr Naftmri tanvnkn Utrm 48 ody Ertvrwa to f-rtimf Cy Bl 51 od Ot 51 O0 at Gorv slo. 18 9' dr rtmntyrrrjix Highs, low, precipitation for 24 hour through 4 p.m. Friday: Santa Maria 75 59 0 00" Paso RoWes 89 55 0 00" Atascadero 91 50 0 00" San Luis Obispo 79 60 0 00" Pismo Beach 83 60 0 00" Arroyo Grande 77 59 0 00" Grover BeacrvOceano 73 59 0 00" Nipomo 0 00" Los Alamos 0.00" Cuyama 82 54 0 00" Vandenberg AFB 72 59 0 00" Lompoc 79 65 0 00" Solvang 'Santa Ynez 87 62 0 00' Santa Ba-ta-a 77 61 0 00" Santa Mana rainfall, month to date 0 70 Normal, month to date 0 26" Santa Mana rainfall season to date 0 75" Normal, season to dale 0 32" Last year season to dale 0 00" Historical data for Santa Mana through 4 p.m. Friday: Ncmai high 75 Normal low 51 Reco-d n.gr- yeste'day 100 1921 Record fVffOHf 36 "948 Laka ttCKg of capacity lae Cacrtjrr.a 126 700 acra-'eet 6tS Lopi Lae 33 954 ace I a Nat "-r-v: 1 49 330 aca-fewt 42 Lae 2C7 130 ace 10 dr dr 72 75 58 70 17 Baltimore Bangs Brmriqrsam Btsnar- Bine Brrjnsve BuRi ButngtorVl Gasijer OlvSC ChiW WV Oat (yttn Palm Springs Pasadena FtodBult Redwood Cfly Rrvervde San Bmarno SanGatml 69 65 68 64 67 67 15 66 70 57 62 67 53 66 68 63 60 56 5b 58 64 60 5 rr. TIDES, Central Coast 73 83 77 80 78 82 80 77 74 80 82 84 69 81 81 78 75 49 80 57 74 50 68 51 78 50 63 .74 63 51 6 46 84 56 73 48 51 54 cdy dr cdy dr a 16 a a or a LOW TIDE Sanjcme Sanfiitael Santa Qui Saru jr vw Tnrranta HIGH TIDE Ml PM 4 5 8 43 46 9'8 48 951 4 9 1023 Ml 50 50 50 49 PM 248 1321 351 4 29 AW 910 934 9 10 8 AM 244 3 '5 341 4 06 1 7 14 1 1 C3 04 04 05 06 Today Sunday McrxUy Tuesday QUAKE VATCH AIR QUALITY UV RATING THE SUN THE SKY THE MOON Santt 0 C3 A 2 birr trie mT r4 it iXfrrf i l- i 1---ify 50 100 IK Ac txA sr vsy Vj 4 ft-wswng Si tMl nwj -J Today.

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