Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of July 20

[YardBird]

Got this from a friend, mark your calendar and set your alarm!  This should be a real beauty.

 AEROCOMM PLUS & CIV-MIL: [Launch Alert, Friday July 20 Dawn Launch - Vandenberg AFB

"The next announced Vandenberg AFB rocket launch is a Falcon 9 on the morning of July 20. The vehicle is slated to lift off from Space Launch Complex-4E at 05:12 PDT and place Iridium NEXT satellites 56-65 into orbit. The first stage's bright flame could make the early portion of this launch visible for more than 120 miles. Liftoff occurs 54 minutes before Vandenberg AFB sunrise. A computer simulation by Rick Baldridge shows the rocket will climb into sunlight at T+ 3 minutes 30 seconds. If so, this would create an impressive display as the rocket's exhaust is illuminated at high altitude by the sun and suspended in a deep twilight sky."

YB

[lwt42]

Just got this in E-Mail -- there may be a date change:

  Date              (PST/PDT)               Vehicle          Pad/Silo
--------        -----------------        -------------       --------

JUL 25          04:39:26                 Falcon 9            SLC-4E
Vehicle will launch Iridium NEXT satellites 56-65. The first stage's
bright flame could make the early portion of this launch visible for
more than 120 miles.

[YardBird]

DELAY CONFIRMED!!!

The dawn July 20 Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg AFB has been DELAYED until July 25. Unfortunately, the new launch time occurs too long before sunrise (at 04:39:26 PDT) for the exhaust plume to be illuminated by sunlight at high altitude. However, the early portion of the launch should be visible to the unaided eye for more a very long distance.

[Elk]

Just happened to see the launch this morning at around 4:30am in the western sky. A bit obscured by clouds and possibly smoke as there was an orange haze that was noticeable as the rocket lit the surrounding sky. Still cool though!