DMSP F-17 was successfully launched on Saturday, 4 November 2006 from Vandenberg AFB at 1353Z.
This was the second launch of Delta IV Medium from Vandenberg AFB and Space Launch Complex 6 (SLC-6).

We had live video of the launch in the DMSP Launch Control Room, however, having never seen a Delta IV
launch before, it was alarming when the video showed a large fireball surrounding the Delta IV at T-5s,
engine ignition. For a second or two, I was worried my trip was going to be cut short:)
Luckly, the fireball was just the hydrogen cloud burn off expected from the Delta IV launchers.

Federal Office Building 4 (FOB 4) is the former home of the Census Bureau, Current NOAA Satellite Operations Center (SOC)
for GOES, TIROS, and DMSP, and home of National Ice Center and Naval Ice Center. With the exception of NOAA SOC, all
occupants of this building have been moved other newly constructed buildings as FOB #4 is scheduled for demolition :)

A new NOAA Satellite Operations Center is in the process of being completed, however, like all government contracts
this one is behind schedule. we were suppose be in the new facility with a Launch Control Room (LCR) that rivals
NASA's Shuttle launch facilities. But instead, we were relegated to a room in a condemned building and using a temp
trailer for shift change! YES, nothing but the BEST for DMSP:)

DMSP flys in a sun synchronous polar orbit (~101 minutes/rev) and utilizes AFSCN networks for contact support.
For the first few revolutions, we had as much contact as possible with the satellite. At times
up to 5 different sites and 50 minutes of continuous visibility was possible on one revolution.

However, after the initial revs, we only utilize one contact per revolution which means we had about 90 minutes
between station contacts...meaning we had nothing to do for 90 minutes! hmmmmm.... what to do...................

As luck would have it, the annual Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)was underway at the Census Bureau.
and it just happens, the CFC kickoff for the Census Bureau was during one of our 90 minutes out of view
period with Redskins Cheerleaders. What's a guy to do....surf the net.....throw the football around....
go see the cheerleaders?................. yeah... hard decision... (unfortunately, I forgot my camera!)